Lee close to qualifying
NEW Zealand golfer Danny Lee is on the verge of qualifying for the final stage of the US PGA Tour school after shooting a three-under third round in California yesterday (NZT).
Lee is one of three Kiwis still in contention to advance to the cutthroat six-round event starting later this month, after more good form at the second-stage tournament.
A scorecard of 69 in his penultimate round followed earlier efforts of 65 and 73 to leave him nineunder and in a share of sixth place at the Bear Creek Golf Club.
He is nine shots behind runaway leader Korean Si Kim but crucially well inside the top 19 golfers and ties who will contest the final qualifying stage in California.
The 22-year-old, who failed to retain his US PGA card this year, shot four birdies, three bogeys and an eagle on the par-five 11th hole to improve one place overall.
Playing the same course is compatriot Steven Alker, who climbed from 23rd to sit just inside the group who advance, in 18th place, leaving him with a pressure-filled round to play tomorrow.
Alker shot a two-under 70 yesterday to be four-under.
Also just inside the fringe is Tim Wilkinson, whose even-par 71 at the Hombre Golf Club in Florida saw him drop two places to 15th on fourunder. He is seven shots behind American leader Scott Sterling.
The slim hopes of a fourth Kiwi, Josh Geary, disappeared when he carded a one-over 73 in his fourth and final round at the TPC Craig Ranch course at Texas.
Geary finished in 59th place, 21 shots behind American winner Scott Gutschewski and 12 shots shy of the group who advance to the final stage.