Golf: Kiwis chasing PGA Tour cards

Steven Alker tees off at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship. Photo / Getty

New Zealand golfers Steve Alker and Tim Wilkinson are right in the hunt to retain their PGA Tour cards for the 2015/2016 season.

There were three New Zealanders on the PGA Tour this season, but only first-time winner Danny Lee was able to finish in the top 125 on the money list to retain his card, currently sitting in 20th.

Alker finished 185th on the money list with earnings of US $236,862, while Wilkinson was further back in 194th, making US $171,654.

Wilkinson made just eight cuts all season with one top 25 finish, and the 44-year old Alker had four top 30 finishes from his nine made cuts.

However, the duo have a chance to retain their playing status on the major tour through the second-tier Web.com Tour Finals.

The Finals consist of a four-tournament series which gives out PGA Tour cards to the top 25 earners over the four tournaments, and Alker and Wilkinson are right in the mix.

The PGA Tour hopefuls are currently in the third tournament of the four, having played two rounds at the Nationwide Children's Hospital Championship, where Alker (tied 11th) and Wilkinson (tied 14th) are both playing strongly.

The strong performances sees Alker sits in 23rd and Wilkinson in 27th on the Finals leaderboard - right on the border of the top 25 which will see their cards stamped for PGA Tour inclusion next season.

If the duo can put together a strong performance over the weekend coupled with a solid final showing at the Web.com Tour Championship finale next weekend, Lee could find himself in familiar company for a second straight season on the PGA Tour.