GAVIN Coles may not have been able to push on for his second top 10 PGA Tour finish of the year in his final round of the Gin sur Mer Classic in Florida yesterday, but their were plenty of positives for the Bathurst professional golfer to take from the tournament.

With 18 holes to play in the $US4.6million event, Coles sat five shots off the lead in tied 14th position after firing earlier rounds of 71, 71 and 72.

While his final trip around Palm Coast's The Conservatory course resulted in a two over 74 to see him slip 21 positions, Coles did string together 13 consecutive pars to finish his round as he was tested by driving rain.

Coles has only had limited access to PGA Tour events this season, but he has still produced some quality results on the world's toughest golf circuit.

His 35th at this tournament was still an impressive effort, Coles also notching up four top 20 efforts - the highlight being a tied eighth finish at the Stanford St Jude Championships.

With Coles unlikely to force his way into the top 125 on the PGA Tour money list at the Gin sur Mer Classic, the bracket which would see him with full tour status in 2009, the tournament was more about building on his good form.

Seven days earlier he was tied third in the Nationwide Tour's Miccosukee Championships, the result giving him access to this week's Nationwide Tour Championship.

Only the top 60 on the money list will take part in the Nationwide Tour season ender at TPC Ranch, Coles needing a good result here to force his way into the top 25 and earn a 2009 PGA Tour card.

Whereas Coles was cut after two rounds of the Gin sur Mer Classic 12 months ago, this time around he showed why he is considered a real chance to crack the Nationwide Tour's top 25.

In his opening round 71 his driving accuracy was 93 per cent while his 58 pars for the tournament was better than any other player in the field.

His only blemishes in his final round 74 came early one as he bogeyed the first and fifth holes, Coles responding to these mishaps with consistent golf in testing conditions.

Coles finished the tournament even with the card, victory belonging to American Ryan Palmer who shot rounds of 67, 71, 72 and 71 to finish at seven under. Robert Allenby was the best placed of the Australians as he ended up two strokes off the pace.