Golf: Iles to tackle crucial tournament the Kiwi way

Bradley Iles needs to win another US$50,000 to secure a card for next year's PGA Tour. Photo / Getty Images

Tauranga golfer Bradley Iles, knowing his game is solid, is taking a relaxed approach into his biggest tournament of the year, beginning tomorrow (NZT) in the United States.

Iles lines up for the season-ending Nationwide Tour's US$1 million ($1.33 million) Tour Championship at Charleston, South Carolina, needing to bank another estimated US$50,000 to secure a card for next year's PGA Tour.

The top 25 Nationwide Tour money leaders will be promoted to the PGA Tour and Iles is currently ranked 40th.

The cut-off point is currently occupied by Australian Alistair Presnell, winner of the Moonah Classic this year.

The calculations have been done and Iles needs at least a third or fourth place finish.

Iles, who finished in a tie for fifth in his last start at the at Miccosukee Championship in Florida on Monday, has a strong support crew about him - dad Peter and coach Mal Tongue have been beside him for the past several weeks.

"We have been going about things in the New Zealand way - we have been working hard, we are going to be trying hard and we'll see what happens," Tongue said this morning from the Daniel Island course as Iles played a practice round.

Tongue, a mentor behind many of New Zealand's top golfers, said Iles' recent form was solid.

" He's been hitting the ball very nicely, his short game is very good and he's putting well.

"We've just been working on his making some better decisions under pressure and making sure he's confident in what he's doing.

"Brad's such a great kid to work with, he's very relaxed, and you know, we are over here to have fun and enjoy ourselves."

There had no been any need to emphasise any particular part of his game in practice.

"We are just developing a course plan, he'll get out there and play and see what happens."

Tongue described the course as a "nice, long tough golf course with big, sloping greens.

"Brad likes the course - the greens are firm, very fast and it's all in beautiful condition.

"All he can do now is give it 150 per cent."

- NZPA