Golf: Final round blow-out costs Iles

New Zealand golfer Brad Iles plummeted down the leaderboard on the final day of play in the Players Cup tournament in the United States today.

He finished in a tie for 59th place in the US$600,000 ($945,030) Nationwide Tour event after shooting a final-round 78 to finish on 291.

Iles had started the tournament in hot form when a seven-under 65 carried him to the first round lead. He followed that by shooting 76 in the second round, improving to an even par 72 to end the third round with a share of 39th place.

But his final round blow-out saw him complete the tournament 18 shots behind winner, American Tom Gillis, on the Pete Dye Golf Club at Bridgeport in West Virginia.

Iles is currently 22nd on the tour's moneylist and needs to be inside the top 25 at the end of the season to earn automatic promotion to next year's PGA Tour.

More consistent compatriot Phil Tataurangi shot a final round 72 to finish on two-under 286 for a share of 34th place. Grant Waite finished one shot astray on 287 after a final round 74 and a share of 40th.

- NZPA