Steven Alker ripped off six straight birdies to finish his first round with a bang and take a five-shot lead at the Simmons Bank Championship on Friday in Little Rock, Ark.

Alker posted an 11-under-par 61 thanks to his birdie binge. The New Zealander's run began at the par-3 13th hole with a right-to-left birdie putt, and he also holed a putt from the fairway for birdie at the 16th hole at Pleasant Valley Country Club.

No other player in the field shot better than a 6-under 66, a score held by Tag Ridings, Justin Leonard, Stewart Cink and Australia's Greg Chalmers.

For Alker, his day was reminiscent of his first round at this event last year, when he shot a 62.

"I just kind of felt like a bit of dejà vu," Alker said. "I got there on the back nine and started making a couple birdies thr

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