Golf: Wilkin misses by two in England

Fraser Wilkin. Photo / APN

Auckland professional Fraser Wilkin has missed advancing to the second stage of qualifying for the European Tour by only two shots.

The kiwi carded rounds of 77, 71, 76 and 75 at Wychwood Park in Crewe, England overnight to finish on an 11-over par total in a share of 29th place.

He was two shots back from the nine-over par four round total, a tie for 22nd place, that would have seen him qualify from Section B of First Stage.

Wilkin, a two-time winner on the Charles Tour, will rue his forgettable finish that cost him his place.

The 25-year-old, who works at Royal Auckland Golf Club, was safely inside the mark heading into the final three holes when he birdied the par four 15th.

But he finished bogey-double bogey-bogey to drop from a share of 17th to 29th to ruin his chances and leave the tournament with a bitter taste in his mouth.

Also in Europe, New Zealand golf great Greg Turner has continued his impressive run of form on the European Seniors Tour.

The 50-year-old shot rounds of 72, 69 and 69 to finish in a share of fifth place at the French Riviera Masters.

The two-time New Zealand Open champion, who returned to competitive golf in 2012 after an eight-year break, signed for a six-under par total, only five shots back from champion, Auckland-based Australian professional Peter Fowler.

Meanwhile, Kiwi David Smail has delivered his best result on the Japan Golf Tour for 2013.

The Hamilton professional, who has played on the Japan Tour for the past 16 seasons, carded an even-par 72 in the final round of the Ana Open to finish in a share of 18th place.

Smail signed for rounds of 70, 68, 72 and 72 to finish on a six-under par total nine shots back from the champion Japan's Koumei Oda.

He climbed to 59th place, from 66th, on the money-list. The top-70 players at the end of the year retain their full playing rights for 2014.

New Zealand No 1 Michael Hendry finished in a share of 33rd place after a one-over par 73 in the final round.

Hendry had rounds of 69, 71, 73 and 73 at the Sapporo Golf Club to finish on a two-under par total.

The 33-year-old North Harbour professional, who began the week in 44th on the money-list in his debut season, slipped three places to 47th.

He is the highest ranked New Zealander on the Official World Golf Rankings at 192 and will represent New Zealand at the US$7million World Cup of Golf at Royal Melbourne in November.

In New Caledonia, Wellington professional Nick Gillespie was the best of the Kiwis at the South Pacific Golf Open.

The former New Zealand rep shot rounds of 67, 73, 67 and 70 at the Tina Golf Club in Noumea to finish in a share of 13th place in the PGA Tour of Australasia event.

His seven-under par total was nine shots back from Australians Andre Stolz and Michael Wright who finished on a 16-under par total before Stolz won in the playoff.

Auckland's Ryan Fox was the next best of the Kiwis in a share of 22nd place while defending champion Brad Shilton finished tied for 33rd.

Over in the US, the Web.com Tour Finals Series took a break last week ahead of the season-ending Web.Com Tour Championship.