Golf: Wilkinson earns US tour card

Tim Wilkinson's four-under-par 68 today has earned the New Zealand golfer his card for the 2005 US Nationwide Tour.

The Manawatu lefthander jumped 26 places in the final round of the six-round final qualifying school for the US PGA Tour at La Quinta Golf Club in California today.

Wilkinson finished with a six-round total of 430, four under par, to finish in a share of 67th place.

The top 30 players and ties earned their PGA Tolur cards for next year, with the next 50 gaining full cards to the secondary Nationwide Tour.

"It's a fine performance from Tim," New Zealand Golf operations manager Phil Aickin said.

"I know Tim was really confident and wanted his card to the PGA Tour, after he qualified and made the cut twice in PGA Tour events last season.

"However it's so vital for our professionals to get on major tours and this will provide regular golf at a very high standard for him, and an ideal way to launch his professional career. It's a tremendous tour and excellent opportunity for Tim."

Wilkinson's opening nine holes today set up his best round of the tournament.

Starting at the 10th hole, he dropped a shot at his first hole before running off a brilliant burst of six birdies in seven holes to turn five under.

He bogeyed two holes and birdied his 13th on the way home.

Wilkinson, who was granted a tournament invite for the New Zealand Open last week, may now have a further presence in New Zealand this summer, with the Nationwide Tour and Australasian Tour co-sanctioning the New Zealand PGA Championship at Clearwater in Christchurch.

The Nationwide Tour also co-sanctions the Jacob's Creek Championship in Australia.

- NZPA