Tataurangi, Iles stay in hunt for PGA tour cards

New Zealand golfer Phil Tataurangi has kept his dream of a return to the US PGA Tour alive.

Tataurangi, 38, finished in a share of fourth place in the second qualifying stage in California to earn a spot in next month's final stage.

Joining him at the final stage in Florida next month is Tauranga's Brad Iles who finished in a share of 12th in his second round tournament in Texas.

Compatriots Brad Heaven, Grant Waite and NZPGA champion Steven Alker, playing in Florida, missed out.

Tataurangi, who has not played on the PGA Tour since 2006, was always prominent in his qualifying tournament at Oak Valley GC in California.

He closed with a solid three-under 69 today to finish on 14-under par 274, four shots behind the top qualifier.

Iles finished in a four-way share of 12th place at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.

Iles, who has enjoyed a strong season on the Nationwide Tour, fired a two-under 69 today to finish on six-under 278.

Alker played on the PGA Tour in 2003 before losing his status on the Nationwide Tour after 2006 and moving to Europe.

Victory in the co-sanctioned NZPGA at Clearwater this year gave him a lifeline back to the Nationwide Tour where he finished inside the top 50 on the moneylist.

Heaven, runner-up in the New Zealand Open in 2001, started emphatically at Southern Hills Plantation Club in Florida to be 11-under after two rounds.

But two rounds of three-over 75 at the weekend saw him slip to three-under 285 which was five shots off the qualifying mark.

The final stage is a six-round event on the Lake and Links courses at Bear Lakes GC in West Palm Beach from December 2-7.

The top 25 players and ties will earn full playing rights to next year's PGA tour.

- NZPA