KEY POINTS:
New Zealand golfers Phil Tataurangi and Michael Long will need strong showings in their final rounds today if they are to retain their PGA Tour playing rights. The pair slipped in the third round of their second-stage qualifying tournaments in the US yesterday.
Tataurangi, second overnight, shot a two-over 74 at the TPC Craig Ranch in Texas to drop to a share of 22nd place. This is one shot outside the cut mark for the top 20 players plus ties that will advance to the final qualifying school.
Long, who was in a share of 10th place overnight, also shot a two-over 74 at the Oak Valley club in Beaumont, California. He is in a share of 17th place and on the cusp with the top 19 players to advance.
Grant Waite missed out on the final qualifying school after finishing tied for 40th place at his second-stage event at Lake Jovita in Florida. He fired a final round two-under 70 to finish on 284, four-under and six shots outside the cut mark.
Compatriot Doug Holloway also missed out, finishing on even 288 in a share of 58th place.
