Australian rookie Matt Jones swept back to form to grab a share of fourth place in the Buick Open.
Jones capitalised on a career-low 63 in the second round and closed with a five-under-par 67 to finish two shots behind veteran Kenny Perry and all but ensure he will retain his US PGA Tour card for next season.
The 28-year-old from Sydney made 10 cuts in his first 11 starts on the main tour, but lost form and missed six cuts in a row leading into this event.
He rediscovered his putting touch with rounds of 70-63-71-67 on the par-72 layout at Buick Hills.
Jones vaulted up the leader board when he hit a magnificent iron from under a tree to tap-in range for eagle at the par-five 13th, then bogeyed the 16th, a par-five he had birdied the previous three days.
He bounced back with a birdie at the short 17th and made his par safely at the last for a 17-under par total.
He collected $US206,667 ($A215,300) to take his season earnings to $US686,201 ($A715,000) and move into 90th place on the money list. He needs around $100,000 more to retain full status in 2009.
Jones believes he is getting closer to finding the key to winning. He had four runner-up finishes on the secondary Nationwide tour last year and has now had two fourths on the main tour.
"My driver, if I can get that better, then a win might come shortly," he said.
"It's coming together. A few cuts in a row and maybe make a top-five or something later on. My putting is coming back."
Brett Rumford was best of the other Australians, firing a closing 68 for a share of 12th.
Rod Pampling (70) was a shot further back, while Stephen Leaney (71), Peter Lonard (69), Nick O'Hern (71) and Mark Hensby (73) all had top-50 finishes.
Jones and most of the other Australians will be back on the course at nearby TPC Michigan first thing tomorrow for a 36-hole qualifier for the British Open at Royal Birkdale on July 17-20.
