Golf: Kiwis fight back in California

New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee and Manawatu professional Tim Wilkinson have fought back in PGA Tour qualifying but there is a sense it is too little too late.

The pair both made poor starts to the final stage of qualifying for next year's tour, but their third rounds in La Quinta, California have provided a faint glimmer of hope.

Wilkinson, who opened with rounds of 71 and 73 to be tied for 110th place, carded a three under par 69 at the Stadium Course to climb into a share of 98th place at the halfway stage of the six-round event.

The left-hander, a former PGA Tour professional, made the turn in even par and added three birdies coming home to remain an outside chance of making it back to the tour.

He is currently on a three under par total, seven shots back from the score that would see him safely inside the qualifying mark.

Lee, meanwhile, has also turned things around but he, too, will need to produce an excellent final three rounds to be in with a chance.

The 21-year-old, who had carded rounds of 72 and 75 for a three over par total to be in a share of 150th place, shot five under par 67 to get back into contention.

Lee, who finished 159th on the PGA Tour money list in 2012 to lose his card, is one shot back from Wilkinson in a share of 108th place.

There are six rounds in the qualifying event with 172 players competing for only 25 places on the PGA Tour in 2013.