Steven Alker, Retief Goosen, Alex Cejka share first-round lead at The Galleri Classic

Things to know

• Charles Schwab Cup leader Steven Alker, World Golf Hall of Fame member Retief Goosen and reigning Senior Open champion Alex Cejka share the first-round lead at The Galleri Classic presented by Spotlight 29 Casino.

Steven Alker, 33-33 – 66 (-6)

• This is his eighth time leading/co-leading after the first round on PGA TOUR Champions
  • Is 4-for-7 converting those into victories
• The 52-year-old seeks his ninth win on PGA TOUR Champions (58th start).
  • Last win: 2024 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai
• Looks to become the first multi-time winner this season on PGA TOUR Champions
  • Note: This is the sixth event of the 2024 season
• Making his fifth start of the 2024 season, he has finished in the top 15 in each of his starts
• Making his second appearance at The Galleri Classic, he finished second in 2023
  • Has a 67.5 scoring average at Mission Hills (four rounds)
• Has led the Charles Schwab Cup standings for all five weeks during the 2024 season

Alex Cejka, 33-33 – 66 (-6)

• This is his fifth time leading/co-leading after the first round on PGA TOUR Champions
  • Is 1-for-4 converting those into victories
• The 53-year-old seeks his fourth win on PGA TOUR Champions (78th start).
  • Last win: 2023 Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex
• Making his sixth start of the 2024 season, he has two top-five finishes.
  • Best finish: T3 (Chubb Classic)
• Making his second appearance at The Galleri Classic, he finished T16 in 2023.
• Entered the week ranked No. 10 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.

Retief Goosen, 31-35 – 66 (-6)

• Matched his low 18-hole score of the season (seventh round)
  • Previous instance: Cologuard Classic (second Round)
• This is his third time leading/co-leading after the first round on PGA TOUR Champions.
  • Is 0-for-2 converting those into victories
• The 55-year-old seeks his third win on PGA TOUR Champions (102nd start).
  • Last win: 2022 Hoag Classic
• Making his third start of the 2024 season, his best finish is T11 (Hoag Classic).
• Making his second appearance at The Galleri Classic, he finished T3 in 2023.
  • Over his last two rounds at Mission Hills, he has played Nos. 1-14 in a combined 16-under and Nos. 15-18 in a combined 3-over

Other notes

• Billy Andrade birdied four of his first eight holes en route to bogey-free 67 and sits in fourth.
  • The 60-year-old seeks his fourth win on PGA TOUR Champions (226th start)
  • Last win: 2015 Charles Schwab Cup Championship
• Seven players sit T5 at 4-under, including GRAIL ambassador Steve Stricker and World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els.
• Defending champion David Toms sits T12 after shooting 3-under 69.
• World Golf Hall of Fame member Fred Couples withdrew before the start of the first round, and alternate Scott Dunlap (T44) took his spot in the field.

How to watch

• Saturday: 3:30-6 p.m. (Golf Channel)
• Sunday: 2:30-6 p.m. (Golf Channel)