Meanwhile, Danny Lee has fired a one over 73 at the Bear Creek Golf Club in round two of the second stage of PGA Tour Qualifying in California.
The 22-year-old Rotorua professional, who opened with a seven under 65 to claim the lead, slipped back to a share of seventh on a six under total. He is seven shots back from leader South Korean Si Kim (70, 61).
Lee, who began on the 10th tee, was two under at the turn after three birdies and a bogey. He lost his way on homeward nine making three bogeys to sign for a 73.
Also at the Bear Creek Golf Club Steven Alker has bounced back in the second round to keep his hopes alive. The Hamilton pro, who opened with a three over 75 to be in a share of 56th place, has managed a five under 67 to climb to tied 23rd.
Alker, whose highlight of the season came when he finished tied 19th at the Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St Annes, made seven birdies in all - including four in a row on his back nine - and two bogeys as he turned his fortunes around.
Lee and Alker need to finish inside the top 19 players and ties to advance to the final stage.
Meantime, Manawatu professional Tim Wilkinson has kept pace in his attempt to return to the PGA Tour at the second stage at the Hombre Golf Club at Panama City in Florida.
Wilkinson, who carded a four under 67 to be tied ninth place after round one, backed that up with a one under 70 to be in a share of 13th place at the halfway stage.
He is on a five under total seven shots back from American Scott Sterling (65, 65) who leads the event by one shot.
Wilkinson, who finished 57th on the web.com Tour order of merit, needs to finish in the top 19 and ties to advance to the final stage.
The news wasn't all positive for Tauranga professional Josh Geary at the second stage event in Texas.
The 28-year-old, who had carded two rounds of 70 to be tied 27th at the halfway stage, lost his way in the third round with a four over 76 at the TPC Craig Ranch to drop to a share of 50th place.
Geary, who has played only five events on the web.com Tour in 2012, is on an even par total 17 shots from the leader Matt Jones. The two-time winner on the Charles Tour needs a great round today to finish inside the top 20 players and ties to safely progress to the final stage.