World No.1 Jason Day surged into the lead before plummeting back down the leaderboard but he remains in the mix after the second round in his title defence at The Barclays.
In the first of four US PGA Tour Playoff events Day shot a one-under-70 in round two at Bethpage Black, now tied fifth and four shots back of leader Patrick Reed.
Reed put together a tidy three-under 68 to move to eight under, two clear at the top.
It could have been infinitely better for Day after he surged early with five birdies in his opening seven holes, including four in a row, to join the lead.
But as quick as he made his move up, he fell back down.
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A bogey on eight was followed by double-bogey on nine and when he added another dropped shot on 10 all his good work was undone.
"I had it going great and I was thinking, 'what's the course record' and obviously it can turn pretty quick, especially if you're out of position here," Day said.
"The one on eight, definitely a poor shot. The tee shot on nine was poor. And then you miss anywhere in the rough on 10 there's no way of holding that green, and then you're trying to save yourself.
"It was a little difficult out there but I felt like I ground it out pretty good.
I know Patrick is up there, and I'm currently four back, I've just got to try to get it under par tomorrow and slowly chip away at it."
Argentina's Emiliano Grillo (69) and American Rickie Fowler (69) share second at six under.
Already leading the season long FedExCup race, Day is looking to become the first Australian in the 10-year history of the playoffs to win it all at next month's Tour Championship, including the $US10 million ($A13.13 million) bonus.
With conditions becoming more difficult by the hour, Day was licking his lips at the prospect of making a weekend charge.
The harder the better for the Queenslander.
"I'm really looking forward to the weekend. I feel like I'm really close," he said.
"The driving hasn't been spot on but I know the reps that I've done prior to this hopefully will catch up to my game and I'll start driving it a little bit better.
"The touch feels pretty good.
"I feel like I'm rolling the ball pretty well, I've just got to give myself the opportunities.
"I don't really see it going too much lower than what it is. I still think single digits (under par) is a pretty good score."
Playing with Day it was also a tough round for Adam Scott, who sits third in the points race.
With four bogeys and three birdies Scott, the 2013 Barclays winner, dropped back to one under on the week, now tied 26th.
John Senden, who faces elimination from the playoffs if he doesn't perform well, continued his steady play with a round of 71 to join Scott at one under.
Marc Leishman (78) and Aaron Baddeley (74) will survive to the next round of the playoffs despite missing the cut and being sent home at Bethpage Black.
