Golf: Wilkinson in the money in Houston

HOUSTON - New Zealand golfer Tim Wilkinson booked his place in the final two days of a PGA Tour for only the fourth time this season despite a second round 75 in the weather-hit Houston Open today.

The left-hander registered two birdies but also five bogeys, including a hat-trick of dropped shots from the fourth hole on the Redstone Golf Club course.

He stayed at the course for his third round but was one-over for the day after 12 holes before play ended due to poor light, leaving him at even for the tournament, 11 strokes behind the leader, American Bo Van pelt.

Wilkinson recorded a superb 67 in his opening round in the US$5.7 million ($9.89 million) event, his second lowest in 23 rounds this year.

His second round was his poorest all year.

Wilkinson's putter caused him angst in the second round as he required 34 putts, five more than the previous day.

Wilkinson commenced his third round at 4.30pm (local time) and after two pars he moved to two-under by holing a 30-foot birdie putt from the back of the green at the short par-four 12th that he was playing as his third.

He gave the shot straight back at the next when he found a fairway bunker with his drive before he got a flyer with his third. The ball landed 100 feet behind the flag from where he took three shots to get down for an eventual bogey.

- NZPA