New Zealand professional Tim Wilkinson has shot a six under par 66 to climb 20 places into fourth at the WNB Golf Classic in Texas on the Nationwide Tour.
The Manawatu professional, who is 66th on the Nationwide order of merit, needs a strong finish in the final four eventsto return to the PGA Tour.
He made seven birdies and a bogey to get to 10 under par, three shots back from co-leaders Australian Jake Younan-Wise and American B.J. Staten.
New Zealand No 1 Danny Lee had a rollercoaster second round that saw him mix two double bogeys, an eagle, three birdies and a bogey for an even par 72. He slipped from a share of second to be tied for eighth on eight under.
The former US Amateur champion is currently 14th on the Nationwide order of merit and a good result in Texas would all but secure his place on the PGA Tour in 2012. The top 25 players automatically qualify for the world's most famous tour.
Tauranga professionals Josh Geary (68, 75) and Bradley Iles (73, 73) both missed the cut.
On the European Tour, Gareth Paddison is the leading Kiwi at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland. The left-hander had an even par 72 at Carnoustie to be on one under and in a share of 95th place.
Michael Campbell dropped to a tie for 111th after a two over par 74 and Mark Brown is in 162nd after a five over 77.
