Golf: Double bogeys push NZ pair off qualifying pace

New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee and Manawatu professional Tim Wilkinson have fallen further off the pace at the final stage of qualifying for the PGA Tour in La Quinta, California.

Wilkinson has opened with rounds of 71 and 73 to slip back to a share of 110th place after two rounds of the six-round event.

The left-handed former PGA Tour professional, who finished 59th on the web.com Tour money list, made three birdies and two double bogeys on day two as he dropped back to an even par total 13 shots back from leader Meen Whee Kim.

Lee, who finished 159th on the PGA Tour money list to lose his card, has carded rounds of 72 and 75 for a three over total in a disappointing start to the qualifying event.

Lee had two bogeys, a double bogey and a birdie in his three over 75 at the Nicklaus Tournament Course to fall over 30 places on the leaderboard to tied 150th.

There are six rounds in the qualifying event with 172 players competing for only 25 places on the PGA Tour in 2013.

Wilkinson is seven shots off the qualifying mark and Lee is 10 shots back from finishing inside the top 25.

North Harbour professional Cathryn Bristow has fought her way back into contention in qualifying for the LPGA Tour in 2013.

Bristow, who opened with a four over 76 at the Champions Course, bounced back yesterday with a one under 71 at the Legends Course at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The left-handed professional, who won on the ALPG Tour in January, climbed 26 places into a share of 53rd on a three over total.

She is 13 shots back from the tournament leader, Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn, who has opened with rounds of 68 and 66 to lead by three shots.

Bristow has plenty to play for in the next three days as she is only four shots back from a share of 17th place that would see her inside the qualifying mark and earn a full card.

There is a field of 122 players hoping to earn a spot on the 2013 LPGA Tour at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament.

The top-20 qualifiers earn Category 12 status on the 2013 Tour while players who finish 21st through 45 and ties will earn membership in Category 17.