Tauranga golfer Brad Iles enters the business end of the Nationwide Tour season in the United States with momentum on his side.
The 27-year-old posted his best result of the year when finishing tied for second in the Utah Championship at Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy yesterday.
He signed for a closing round of even par 71 and a tournament card of 15-under 269, leaving him three shots behind the winner, American Michael Putnam, and alongside Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas, who both shot 67.
His third top-10 placing of the season earned Iles just under US$49,000 ($66,700) and saw him jump 30 places to 33rd on the tour moneylist with seasonal income of US$125,830.
He needs to finish inside the top 25 to secure automatic promotion to the PGA Tour next year and has another six events, heading into the season-ending Tour Championship, to promote his cause.
Iles challenged for a top-25 season placing last year before fading in the latter half of the season to finish 45th.
He gave his 2010 campaign added impetus despite surrendering an overnight one-shot lead over Putnam, which he had earned on the back of an eight-under 63 in Sunday's third round.
Iles could not replicate that hot form as Putnam overtook him early and led by three shots at the turn before protecting his advantage down the stretch at the US$550,000 event.
Iles scoops $66,700 as he ties for runner up
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