Golf: Alker near top of standings in Memphis

New Zealand's Steve Alker. Photo / Ross Setford.

Kiwi golfer Steven Alker is in third place at the halfway point of the St Jude Classic in Memphis on the PGA Tour but he may regret three dropped shots in the final two holes of his second round.

The Hamilton professional looked on track to hold a share of the lead after the completion of his second round today.

But Alker, who finished on the front nine, made a bogey at the par-three eighth hole and a double at the par-fourth ninth, which pushed him down the leaderboard.

He eventually signed for a two-under 68, which left him at seven-under for the week and he is still in great shape as the tournament pushes in to moving day tomorrow.

The 43-year-old is two strokes back from leader Brooks Koepka, while American Austin Cook is in second at eight-under after shooting a six-under 64 today.

"I let it slip at the end," Alker told the PGA Tour website. "That's the type of golf course it is."

"It's fun. I haven't been in this position all year," he said. "A bad finish but a lot of positives. It's a good thing it's not Sunday. That would be bad."

Alker's first season on the PGA Tour since 2003 has been a struggle but a solid finish this week would push him up the FedEx Cup standings, where he currently sits 183rd, which would help him get more starts as the year progresses.

Manawatu's Tim Wilkinson made the cut in Memphis with another round of 70 today and he is at even par for the week in a share of 53rd. The left-hander began the week in 181st on the FedEx Cup standings.

Danny Lee, who has qualified for next week's US Open and is the best-performed Kiwi on tour this season, has taken this tournament off as he prepares for the major.