Golf: Iles edges closer to PGA Tour card

New Zealand golfer Bradley Iles has finished in a tie for fifth at the second tier Nationwide Tour's Miccosukee Championship in Florida today.

Iles shot an even-par 71 in this morning's (NZT) final round which gave him a seven-under total of 277, three stokes behind the winner Chad Collins of the United States.

Iles, who started the day ranked 52nd on the tour money list, moved to 40th after winning US$23,750 ($32,534) which takes his season total to US$136,531.

The top 25 on the tour automatically qualify for next year's PGA Tour and Iles is still $29,462 away from that.

He has this week's season-ending US$1 million Tour Championship at Charleston, South Carolina, to bank the balance.

Iles was in tie for second until a bogey on the final hole knocked him down the standings.

It was his fourth top 10 finish in 21 tournaments this year.

Meanwhile, New Zealand's top professional David Smail finished in a tie for sixth at the Japan Open at Tokyo.

Smail had a one-under 287, five strokes behind the winner, Ryuchi Oda of Japan.

- NZPA