Golf: Lee makes the cut in Tennessee

New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee made his fifth cut in 2012 on the PGA Tour by carding an even par 70 in round two of the St Jude Classic in Tennessee. Photo / Getty Images.

New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee made his fifth cut in 2012 on the PGA Tour by carding an even par 70 in round two of the St Jude Classic in Tennessee.

The 21-year-old Korean-born Kiwi, who opened with a one under par 69, dropped four places into a share of 22nd place - six shots back from Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (68, 65) who has found some form ahead of his US Open defence.

Lee, who in his current position is projected to climb to 133rd in the Fed Ex Cup rankings, began his second round in disastrous fashion with a double bogey but he rallied well with four birdies and two more bogeys to post an even par score for round two.

The former US Amateur champion needs to win this week if he is going to join the US Open field.

Meanwhile, on the Nationwide Tour, Manawatu professional Tim Wilkinson shot a five under par 67 at the Mexico Open to climb 40 places at the El Bosque Golf Club.

The former PGA Tour player, who opened with a one over par 73, bounced back in fine style to get to a four under par total and now sits within five shots of leader Tag Ridings of the United States.

Wilkinson, who is currently 56th on the Nationwide order of merit, played the front nine in one under par and the back nine in four under in a bogey free performance.

Hamilton professional Steven Alker, who opened with a two under par 70, shot a one under par 71 to be one shot further back in a tie for 24th place.

Tauranga professional Josh Geary missed his fourth cut from as many events in 2012 on the Nationwide Tour. The Kiwi, who finished third at the New Zealand Open, shot rounds of 78 and 79 to finish at the bottom of the field in a share of 135th place.