Golf: Waite and Alker firmly on PGA track

The goal of playing on the 2004 PGA Tour in the United States remains alive for two New Zealand golfers.

Grant Waite and Steve Alker emerged unscathed from the second stage of the Tour's qualifying school on opposite sides of the US yesterday.

Both safely progressed to the third and final stage, starting on December 4, with top-10 performances in their respective tournaments.

Alker finished in a tie for seventh at Seaside in California, while Waite was ninth equal at St Augustine in Florida.

Alker finished on seven-under 281 after shooting rounds of 68, 71, 70, 72, and Waite put together rounds of 67, 68, 72, 70 for a total of 277.

The two New Zealanders are eager to reboard the PGA Tour gravy train next year after struggling for the most of this year.

Alker lost his PGA Tour card after finishing 163rd on the money-list with earnings of US$261,359 ($408,560) in his rookie season.

Waite, whose success in the 1993 Kemper Open means he is one of just six New Zealanders to win a PGA Tour event, lost his full playing privileges last year.

Because of special invitations he ended up playing more on the PGA Tour this year than on the secondary Nationwide Tour, but finished 188th on the money-list with tournament income of US$151,000 ($236,000).

- NZPA