Golf: Jones on track to regain US Tour card

Matt Jones of Australia. Photo / Getty Images

Australian golfer Matt Jones is on track to regain a US PGA Tour card at the halfway mark of the gruelling six-round qualifying tournament in California.

Jones posted a solid two-under-par 70 in the third round to move to 11 under overall and remain in a tie for second place, two shots behind American leader Will Claxton with three rounds to play.

Jones led outright midway through his third round after three birdies in his opening 11 holes before an untimely double bogey slightly halted his charge.

But the New South Welshman bounced back with a fourth birdie of the day to be well within the top 25, the magic mark to gain a 2012 card.

Fellow Aussie Jarrod Lyle also moved into a great position after an impressive four-under 68 on the PGA West Stadium course left him at eight under and tied ninth.

The Victorian is due to fly back to Australia after the tournament to be married but wants to secure a job next year first, a task helped by four birdies and an eagle to go with just two bogeys.

Steven Bowditch and James Nitties were the next best Australians sitting at three under in a tie for 56th at the halfway stage.

Steve Allan (-2, tied 73rd), Craig Hocknull (-1, tied 90th), Nathan Green (-1, tied 90th), Bronson La'Cassie (+3, tied 134th) and Andre Stolz (+10, 167th) round out the Australians.

Stolz effectively threw his chances away on a disastrous back nine, with his scorecard blotched by a dreaded cycle.

He notched up a bogey, double bogey, triple bogey and quadruple bogey coming in to blow out from even to 10-over-par.

- AAP