Jarrod Lyle admits time is running out for him on the US PGA Tour.
But if his opening round at the Barbasol Championship is any guide, Lyle isn't giving up his tour card without showing the fight that has been a hallmark of his golf career.
Lyle and fellow Australian Stuart Appleby are within striking distance of the leaders at the RTJ Trail Grand National tournament in Alabamba.
Appleby peeled off three successive birdies after turning for home one-under par to card a four-under 67, two shots from equal leaders Angel Cabrera and Jhonattan Vegas.
Lyle matched Appleby's round despite two bogeys to go with his lone birdie on the front nine.
But he bettered his compatriot's effort on the run-in, reeling off four successive birdies from the 13th hole to the 16th hole.
Appleby and Lyle are in a tie for 10th after two-time major winner Cabrera of Argentina and Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas both fired 65s.
Lyle has had a limited preparation for the tournament as he has spent the past three months in Australia after becoming a father for the second time.
"Golf has taken a back seat but it's nice to get out here and start a tournament off on the right foot."
Lyle, who is in his second remission from acute myeloid leukemia, has three tournaments left until his PGA Tour medical exemption expires.
"My back's against the wall so I've got play smart but aggressive golf and try and make as many birdies and limit the mistakes as much as possible," Lyle said.
With most of golf's elite engaged in the British Open, big-hitters Cabrera, 46, and Vegas, 31, both took advantage of their length with bogey-free rounds spiced by eagles on the par-five 13th hole.
The co-leaders were one shot ahead of a pack of seven pursuers that included Scotsman Martin Laird and Americans Ben Crane, Michael Kim and Shawn Stefani.
