22 Apr 2009

Wilkinson and Brown turn in good performances over overseas greens

9:04 am on 22 April 2009

The Palmerston North golfer Tim Wilkinson's has slipped to sixth in the USPGA's Heritage Classic in South Carolina, 12 shots behind the runaway winner American Brian Gay.

Wilkinson started the final round in second spot but shot a final round two over par 73, to finish at eight under par in a share of sixth place with Spain's Jose Maria Olazabal, picking up $350,000.

It's a timely payday for Wilkinson who's had a slow start to the year failing to make the cut in four of the nine tournaments he's played.

Wilkinson won over $2 million last year, which was his first on the USPGA, with three top-10 results, including finishing with a share of second spot in the Texas Open.

Meanwhile Wellington's Mark Brown posted his best result of the year after finishing in a 3-way tie for third behind Australia's Scott Strange at the China Open in Beijing.

Brown led midway through the final round only to suffer a slump at the turn for home but managed to recover and birdie three of his last four holes.