KEY POINTS:
Three New Zealand golfers have battled their way into the final United States PGA Tour qualifying school in two weeks.
Nationwide players Tim Wilkinson and Grant Waite, will be joined by young Tauranga professional Brad Iles, after they qualified from second stage tournaments in the United States yesterday.
Most unlucky was Napier professional Doug Holloway, who again faltered in the second stage - this time by just one shot at the Hombre Golf Club in Florida.
Holloway will be mortified with his close miss. After a blemish-free first 12 holes of his final round, he bogeyed four of the last five holes. Other Kiwis to miss out at second stage included North Harbour professionals Michael Hendry and Josh Carmichael, US-based Aucklander Brad Heaven and Phil Tataurangi - all potential late call-ups to next week's New Zealand Open.
Iles, who retained his card on the Asian tour this year, will now gain some level of qualification to either the PGA or Nationwide Tours next year.
He produced a stunning weekend of golf at Royal Dunes Golf Club in Arizona, finishing in a share of fourth place on 15-under par.
He shot 12-under for his final 36 holes, including 13 birdies and just one bogey in a superb display.
Waite finished 10th in his second stage event at Lake Jovita GC in Florida after a solid final round of one-over 73.
His opening two rounds for nine-under laid the foundation for his 11-under par finish on 278.
Wilkinson finished sixth at Hombre GC, closing with a three-over 75 with four bogeys mixed with one birdie.
He had moved into a strong position with his third round three-under, 69.
- NZPA
