Golf: Lee four shots back in Brazil

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee is within striking distance of his first win in almost two years and his second title on the Web.com Tour in Brazil. Photo / Getty Images.

New Zealand golfer Danny Lee is within striking distance of his first win in almost two years and his second title on the Web.com Tour in Brazil.

The former US Amateur Champion, who led at the halfway stage of the inaugural Brasil Classic after consecutive rounds of 65, carded a one-under par 70 in the third round at the Sao Paulo Golf Club overnight (sun) to be in a share of third place.

Lee will begin the final round tomorrow (mon) four shots back from Chilean Benjamin Alvarado, who carded a five-under par 66 today to earn a three shot lead from American Kevin Kim.

The 22-year-old Rotorua professional got off to a slow start as he played the front nine in one-over par 36. He responded by playing the back nine in two-under par to sign for a 70 and remain in touch.

The former European Tour winner has not won in two years since he claimed WNB Classic in Texas which saw him earn his card on the PGA Tour in 2012.

Lee has made a solid start to the 2013 season. He has made three out of four cuts and his best result came when he finished tied sixth at the Chile Classic in March. He also finished in a share of 13th place at the season opening Sony Open in Hawaii on the PGA Tour.

The former European Tour winner is back on the Web.com Tour after failing to keep his card on the PGA Tour in 2012.

He missed out in qualifying school by one only one shot.

Lee, who is currently 26th on the Web.com Tour money list, needs to finish inside the top 25 players to return to the PGA Tour in 2014.

Fellow Kiwi Tim Wilkinson is also in the hunt this week in Brazil. The left-hander from the Manawatu carded a two-under par 69 in round three to be alone in ninth place.

The former PGA Tour professional, who is 16th on the Web.com Tour money list, is on a 10-under par total and seven shots back from the leader Alvarado.

Hamilton professional Steve Alker dropped 24 places to a share of 42nd after a one-over par 72 in round three to slip back to a four-under par total.

But the main interest is on Lee to see if he can shoot a low score tomorrow and claim his first title in almost two years.