Golf: Heaven closer to US PGA

New Zealand golfer Brad Heaven today won his way through to the second stage of qualifying for his playing card on the United States PGA Tour.

Heaven shot a one-under 71 in today's final round to advance with a under five-under par total of 283 in a first stage qualifying tournament at Kinderlou Forest in Georgia.

His four-birdie, three bogey round left him four shots inside the top 23 and ties who progress to the second stage.

As an amateur Heaven finished second in the 2004 New Zealand Open. He has this year been playing on the professional tour in Canada.

Compatriot Josh Geary, who played in the British Open this year, missed progressing after a one-over final round left him five shots outside the likely qualifying score.

As he did two seasons ago, Heaven will now play in the second stage of qualifying at one of six venues, starting on November 18.

If he gets through that, the third and final stage is a six-round tournament at West Palm Beach in Florida which starts on December 2, from which the top 25 qualify to play on the rich PGA Tour in 2010.

- NZPA