Golf: Iles ties for second in Utah

Brad Iles. Photo / Joel Ford.

New Zealand 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 $US550,000 ($NZ754,600) Utah Championship at Willow Creek Country Club in Sandy today.

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 $US49,000 and saw him jump 30 places to 33rd on the tour moneylist with seasonal income of $US125,830.

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 today despite surrendering an overnight one-shot lead over Putnam, which he had earned on the back of an eight-under 63 in yesterday's third round.

Iles could not replicate that hot form today as Putnam overtook the New Zealander early and led by three shots at the turn before protecting his advantage down the stretch.

- NZPA