AKRON, Ohio — Steven Alker overcame a double bogey on his fourth hole with three birdies on the back nine at Firestone for a 5-under 65, giving him a one-shot lead over Steve Stricker going into the weekend at the Kaulig Companies Championship.
Alker, who was at 7-under 133, got off to a hot start with four birdies on the opening seven holes. The problem was the 450-yard fourth hole with a fairway that slopes severely to the left. From the rough, it took two more shots to get near the green, leading to double bogey.