KEY POINTS:
New Zealand golfer Tim Wilkinson continues to prove his worth on the PGA Tour in the United States.
He enters the final round of his latest event, the Heritage Classic in South Carolina, today poised to challenge for his third top-10 result in his rookie season on the tour.
The Palmerston North left-hander shot an even par 71 in the third round yesterday to be tied for 14th on five-under 208, 10 shots behind the leader, American Boo Weekley.
Wilkinson, who opened his account at the picturesque Harbour Town Golf Links with a pair of 68s, began yesterday in a share of 14th and stayed there despite posting birdies at his opening two holes.
Another followed at the fourth but his round was stalled by bogeys at the fourth, 11th and seventh holes.
Wilkinson, 29, has coped admirably in his first season on the tour. He entered his latest tournament 51st on the money list with income of US$646,641 ($821,880) with a best result of third at last month's New Orleans Classic.
Weekley, helped by a sizzling run of five consecutive birdies, stayed on course for a successful title defence.
A stroke off the pace overnight, Weekley charged three shots clear with a six-under 65 in blustery conditions.
Aiming to become the first player to win consecutive titles at Hilton Head since Davis Love in 1992, Weekley hit his approach to 2m at the last for his seventh birdie of the day and a 15-under total of 198.
"Right now I'm a little tired, but overall I'm excited how I played," Weekley said, after posting his seventh successive sub-70 score at Harbour Town.
"I played real well today, stayed pretty focused. It was a great day. The wind got up a little bit on us but everything worked out for the best."
Anthony Kim, boosted by an eagle at the par-five second, carded 67 to lie second at 12-under, two ahead of fellow Americans Jason Bohn, 67, and Cliff Kresge, 68, and Australian Aaron Baddeley, 67.
American world No 9 Jim Furyk was another stroke back in sixth after returning a third successive 68.
Overnight pacesetter Lucas Glover and Kim duelled for the lead early on before Weekley took control.
- NZPA, REUTERS
