Wilkinson back on PGA Tour – for eighth time
New Zealand golfer Tim Wilkinson will play on the PGA Tour once again after finishing 24th on the Korn Ferry Tour’s regular season points race, The 25.
Despite missing the cut at the Winco Foods Portland Open, Wilkinson finished high enough in the field to remain inside the top 25 and gain his card to the main tour in 2020.
Starting the week in 21st position, Wilkinson needed a solid result to cement his name in The 25.
However, after rounds of 73 and 67 to finish at two-under after 36 holes, Wilkinson missed the cut by two and needed other results to go his way to confirm his place on the PGA Tour.
Fortunately for the Manawatu¯ professional, the stars aligned, and he is projected to fall into 24th. He can now try and improve his status for next year through The Finals 25 on the Korn Ferry Tour, which is the remaining three events of the year.
‘‘This time last year, I had a putt on 18 to get into the top 75, and I missed it and had to go to the second stage of Q-school,’’ Wilkinson said.
‘‘So, to be here right now, having shot 62 in the final round of Q-school to get full-exempt status, and then to play my way into a PGA Tour card this season, is a dream come true again – for the eighth time.’’
He said he’d had great support from family and people around him, and the energy from them had helped him.
‘‘To get back to the PGA Tour at 41 years old, when the game is changing so dramatically, is really special.
‘‘This year I picked up a lot of swing speed working on my diet, fitness and different things.
‘‘I picked up distance off the tee, my putting has gotten better, and usually I’m really good around the greens, so hopefully those things continue to progress as they have done the last year, and I can continue to show progress on the PGA Tour. That’s the goal.’’
Fellow Kiwi Steve Alker will also play in this year’s Finals 25 in his quest to join Wilkinson on the PGA Tour next year.
Alker carded rounds of 68, 69, 75, and 70 to finish at two-under par for the event and in a tie for 62nd place. This leaves him projected to finish in 50th spot in The 25 and solidifies his place in The Finals 25 for this year.
If Alker finishes inside the top 25, he will join Danny Lee and Wilkinson on the PGA Tour next year.