Alker, who bounced around the Korn Ferry Tour, DP World Tour and PGA Tour before turning 50 having started on the PGA Tour of Australasia, first got his start on the over 50s circuit via Monday qualifying. A string of top-10s kept his dream of a card alive before winning once in 2021.

Twice a winner already this year, the 50-year-old began the final day at Harbor Shores Resort in Michigan four shots adrift of Stephen Ames and Bernhard Langer, his back nine including four birdies proving the difference as he signed for a 63 and three shot win over Canadian Ames.

“First I saw Arnold Palmer, I'm not sure what year it was, and you twist it and you see Lee Trevino and you see Jack Nicklaus and you see Tom Watson,” Alker said of the names adorning the oversized trophy. “So yeah, it's pretty cool. Pretty cool.”

Calling his post 50 career a “second wind” Alker admits to having struggled during his time bouncing back and forth between main and secondary Tours, and weighing up his options, including going back to New Zealand, as he approached the all-important age for older golfers.

But having stuck with the grind of professional golf, the Kiwi is now reaping the rewards and summed up his career with one word on Sunday evening.

“Just perseverance. That's all I can say. Just perseverance with a capital P.”