PGA Tour Champions Number One Announces Caddie Has Terminal Cancer

Steven Alker says caddie Sam Workman has been like an older brother to him in an emotional post revealing cancer diagnosis

Steven Alker with caddie Sam Workman
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Paul Higham
By Paul Higham
published

Reigning Charles Schwab Cup champion Steven Alker has revealed the sad news that his caddie Sam Workman has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

In an emotional post on social media, Alker showed how close the two had grown together as he revealed the sad news of the diagnosis.

"Sam Workman has been much more than just a professional golf caddie to me the last four years," Alker wrote on Instagram. "He has been a friend, a motivator, a decision maker and a fighter.

“We’ve had some tough times and, as of late, some really good times. He’s been like an older brother to me since we first got connected in 2019.

A post shared by Steve Alker (@alker_traz)

A photo posted by on

"It is with a heavy heart that I share the devastating news that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Our hearts are broken for Sam and his family as they process this information, but in this uncertain time, we want them to know that they are not alone.

"Please join me and my family in sending out prayers to Sam and the Workman family in his time of need.

"He is surrounded with well wishes and much love from ‘Team Alker’ and could use even more, from old friends, new friends, Tour friends and family. Thank you all"

Alker has had 55-year-old Workman on his bag since 2019 and last year they combined to win four PGA Tour Champions events on the way to lifting the Schwab Cup.

Workman was a golf pro and ran a municipal course in Texas before becoming a caddie, carrying the bag for almost 400 tournaments and spending 15 years on the Korn Ferry Tour where he joined up with Alker.

Having never been a caddie for a tournament winner, Workman finally got a win with Alker when he captured the TimberTech Championship in his first season on the PGA Tour Champions circuit in 2021.

Paul Higham
Paul Higham
Contributor

Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website.  Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush. 

Latest