Golf: Wilkinson shoots up leaderboard in Memphis

Tim Wilkinson has shot the round of the day in Memphis to rocket up the leaderboard. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi golfer Tim Wilkinson has shot the round of the day to put himself in contention at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis.

The Manawatu left-hander shot a five-under 65 to leap 46 spots up the leaderboard, into a tie for seventh at five-under for the tournament.

After consecutive rounds of 70 to start the tournament, six birdies to go with the solitary bogey leaves Wilkinson trailing leaders Greg Owen and Fabian Gomez by four shots.

It was a timely round for the world number 528, with Wilkinson having only made five cuts all season, and he now has a chance to surpass his best ever finish on the PGA Tour, being a tie for second at the Valero Texas Open in 2008.

The day wasn't as rosy for fellow Kiwi Steven Alker, however.

The Hamilton golfer started his round in a tie for third at seven-under but after an eagle early in his round brought him to nine-under, four straight bogeys sent him spiralling down the leaderboard.

The end result was a four-over 74 and a fall of 16 places back into a tie for 19th.