Golf: Alker continues his charge in Kansas

Steven Alker is continuing his charge for a PGA Tour card on the web.com Tour, with the 41-year-old in a share of seventh at the Midwest Classic in Kansas. Photo / Getty Images.

Steven Alker is continuing his charge for a PGA Tour card on the web.com Tour, with the 41-year-old in a share of seventh at the Midwest Classic in Kansas.

Alker has turned his season around in spectacular fashion. Last week he won the Utah Championship to claim his first title in four years and today he shot a two-under-par 69 at the Nicklaus Golf Club at Lions Gate to be in contention at the halfway stage.

Two weeks ago the Hamilton professional was 149th on the money list. He jumped to 20th after his win _ he also climbed more than 200 places on the world rankings _ and is projected to climb to 15th on the current standings which puts him in the frame to qualify for the PGA Tour.

The top 25 players on the order of merit to automatically qualify for next year's PGA Tour.

Two other Kiwis are pushing for a place on the world's most prestigious and lucrative tour, although Danny Lee, who lost his card last year, had a disastrous round today when he dropped from a share of fifth to be tied for 129th after a nine-over-par 80 and missed the cut. He is projected to slot into eighth on the Web.com Tour on current standings.

Tim Wilkinson, who has been one of the most consistent players on this year's tour, went the other way with a four-under-par 67 elevating him 41 places to a share of 27th. He would be seventh on projected standings.