Kiwi Tim Wilkinson has moved inside the all-important top-25 on the Web.com Tour moneylist courtesy of his best finish on the Web.com Tour in more than six years.

Two shots off the lead following an opening round of 5-under 66, Wilkinson backed that strong start up with a second round of 67 to be in contention heading into the weekend.

He began the final round in a tie for fifth but managed to end the week tied for third courtesy of a 1-under par round of 70, two shots behind American victor Robby Shelton.

The result was Wilkinson’s third top-10 finish in his past four starts and his best result anywhere since finishing runner-up in the Stadion Classic at UGA in May 2013, the cheque for $US28,600 moving him up 18 places on the Order of Merit to 22nd, a 2020 PGA TOUR card the reward for those who end the season in the top-25.

The 40-year-old left-hander was bogey-free through his first 33 holes and dropped just three shots all week, the last of which came on the 71st hole when he was unable to get up-and-down from the greenside rough at the par-4 17th.

It was an otherwise tough week for the Australasians in the field with four players missing the cut and New Zealand’s Nick Voke having to withdraw despite a promising 2-under 69 in the first round.

Knoxville Open
Fox Den Country Club, Knoxville, Tennessee
T3           Tim Wilkinson     66-67-68-70—271            $US28,600
MC         Brett Drewitt        70-71—141
MC         Brett Coletta        72-71—143
MC         Jamie Arnold       74-70—144
MC         Steven Alker        73-71—144
WD        Nick Voke             69