Jim Rutledge is in position to earn back his full playing privileges for the 2013 Champions Tour in a five-way tie for fourth at TPC Eagle Crest at Coral Springs, Florida.
A 1-under-par 71 in the third of four rounds on Thursday has the Victoria native at 5-under 211, one shot behind Jeff Brehaut for third place. Gene Jones leads at 11-under, and Mark Mouland is at 7-under 209.
After todays final round, the top five finishers earn fully exempt status, while the next seven players will be conditionally exempt. In addition, the top 30 finishers and ties will be eligible to compete for spots in open qualifiers at all co-sponsored events on the Champions Tour in 2013.
Meanwhile, at PGA Qualifying school, former UVic Vikes athlete Mitch Evanecz remains in solid contention with a second-round, even-par 72 that leaves the Red Deer, Alta., native who now calls Victoria home in a tie for seventh at 6-under 138.
A total of 19 positions and ties are available at Blue Creek Golf Club in Murietta, California, to advance to the third and final stage of PGA qualifying.
Stu Anderson of Sooke is tied for 29th after a 1-under 71 on Thursday and a 1-under 143 total.
Nick Taylor of Abbotsford shot a tidy 5-under 67 in Round 2 to leave him tied for seventh with Evanecz.
