NAPLES (Fla.) — Steven Alker took a photo with Jim Furyk, Bernhard Langer and took a sip of water.
He walked to his bag, the same bag Sam Workman had used for four years. He stood over his clubs and sighed. He sighed twice, not once but twice. As if he were releasing all his emotions.
Alker said, “I miss him” about his friend . died February 6, just one week after Alker announced that Workman had been diagnosed with cancer.
“The routines that we got into, going missing that a lot.”
Friday’s tee shot at the Chubb Classic at Tiburon Golf Club was Alker’s first tournament without Workman in over four years. He finished the tournament with a score of 3-under 69. Alker was more than just a friend after they first met in the Bahamas on the Korn Ferry Tour 2019. Alker described him as a “motivator, decision-maker, and fighter.”
Alker’s rise from grinding on Korn Ferry Tour in his 40s to dominating the PGA Tour Champions 2022 and winning season-long Charles Schwab Cup was shared by the two of them. Alker, 51 years old, won four events and was second in four more. He also had 18 top 10s in 23 starts this season.
Workman was a key part of the meteoric rise.
Alker stated, “He understands how I work on my course.” Sam is very calm. It was great for my game. We went out and just played. It didn’t matter if I was shooting a high or low number; nothing changed.”
Caddie Sam Workman is diagnosed with terminal cancer
That was true right through the 2023 event in Hualalai (Hawaii), in which Alker, a New Zealander who lives in Fountain Hills in Arizona, began his defense of the Schwab Cup with a second-place finish. Alker informed Workman a week later that he had been diagnosed as having terminal cancer.
Alker stated that the worker complained about pain and had a few issues. Workman was diagnosed with liver cancer, which spread to his stomach.
Alker, who had spent most of the time at Workman’s side in Beeville Texas, was grieving the loss of his best friend on the course a week later. Workman was 55.
Alker stated Thursday that he was still in shock at the speed with which he had vanished.
Alker valued that week in Texas as much as any trophy in a case.
Alker stated, “I got to know Sam better than I did. Being around his friends and relatives was a great way to get to know him.” That was something special.
Alker is particularly grateful Workman was able experience the resurgence that began with his first win in the Champions Tour, 2021 TimberTech Championship at Broken Sound.
Workman was for the first time on the bag of a winner, and Alker presented the flag to him from the 18th hole.
It will be difficult to replace a worker
Steve Alker will continue to play golf, but there will be a huge hole. Troy Martin will be carrying Alker’s bag for this week. Martin shared a tribute on social media to Workman.
He wrote, “I will do all I can to honor Sam Workman” These are huge shoes to fill.
Alker had a Houston Astros sticker on his bag, and Martin wore Astros caps Thursday in honor of the team’s World Series victory last fall.
Workman loved the Astros.
Alker isn’t sure who will be carrying his bag in the future. It is hard to even consider. Martin was hired by Martin this week. He will continue to be covered throughout April with several caddies, including Tanya, his wife.
Alker hopes to then find a full-time assistant.
Alker started well in Hawaii, but hasn’t set any goals. This is not the same as last year when everything just happened organically.
He said, “I kinda said at the beginning of last year when did winning the Schwab Cup become a goal?” It became a goal as the year progressed. It’s too far away right now to think ahead. It would be incredible to do it again.
Sam will be there to honor him every time he takes to the course to defend his title.
