Top-ranked Australians Jason Day and Adam Scott will use the closing rounds of the US PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament to sharpen their games ahead of the upcoming US Open.
While world No.3 Day and No.10 Scott clawed their way back into the Jack Nicklaus-hosted event during Friday's second round, the duo conceded there is slim hope of catching runaway leader Jason Dufner.
Scott fired an impressive six-under-par 66 but at two-under remains a distant 12 shots back from American Dufner, whose second 65 rocketed him to 14 under.
Dufner will take a five-shot cushion over fellow American Daniel Summerhays (69) into Saturday's third round.
World No.12 Rickie Fowler (66) is a shot adrift at eight under, while two-time major winner Jordan Spieth (72) sits two back in a tie for fourth.
The 36-year-old Scott has set his sights on a strong weekend finish before heading to next week's Tour event in Memphis, Tennessee and the US Open at Wisconsin's Erin Hills immediately after.
"I played beautifully today but I think I'm out of it unless something great happens for me on Saturday," Scott told AAP.
"I'd love to have two rounds in the 60s and feel like I've played solid golf going into Memphis and ultimately peak at Erin Hills."
At two over, Day (70) narrowly made the cut and says a pair of low scores in his final two rounds before the US Open will be a confidence booster.
"I'll try to shoot something very low and give myself good vibes going into the US Open," said Day, who has two runner-ups in six starts at the US Open.
Marc Leishman (70) took leading Australian honours at four under and tied for 13th.
The 33-year-old hit 13 of 14 fairways and said sustaining his career-best form with the driver would be key to any hope of catching Dufner.
"I'll have to play some great golf but I'm driving the ball the best I ever have and there's still a lot of play to unfold," said Leishman.
Victorian rookie pro Brett Coletta, playing in his second Tour event, fired a 69 and the 20-year-old shares 20th at three under.
Perth native Greg Chalmers shot a 68 to take a one-under total, while Cameron Smith (71) and Rod Pampling (73) finished at one-over.
Other Australians to make the weekend included Matt Griffin (71, two over) and rookie Curtis Luck (70, three over).
Steven Bowditch (78, six-over), Aaron Baddeley (75, seven-over total) and Ryan Ruffels (76, 13-over) all missed the cut.
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