Steven Alker pours in 11 birdies for big Simmons Bank lead

(Photo credit: Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

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 f