Local golfer Steve Alker is looking forward to defending his New Zealand PGA title at the Clearwater course in Christchurch this week, after a disappointing end to his 2009 season.
Alker became the first New Zealander to win the Clearwater event in eight years last year and followed that performance with a tie for 13th in the New Zealand Open, but he made just three cuts in the next 16 tournaments with a best finish of 23rd.
Alker hasn't played since mid-November when he missed the cut at the second stage of the United States PGA tour qualifying school, and spent much of that time off in Britain.
Alker says with the lack of golf he's had recently he hasn't got high hopes about the tournament, but says he's looking forward to playing in New Zealand again and building up to the Nationwide Tour.
