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Stuart Appleby's quest for full playing rights on the United States PGA Tour is rolling along after his recovery from back surgery.
The veteran Australian carded a two-under par 68 at TPC Southwind to begin the Fedex St Jude Classic in Memphis today to be the leading contender of his countrymen in a tie for 17th place, three shots from the lead.
The 45-year–old Appleby, who has 20 starts this year under a medical exemption, needs to make around $US600,000 in prizemoney to secure a card for 2016-17. Prior to Memphis, he has accumulated $US360,000 in 15 events.
The nine-time US Tour winner had back surgery in 2015 after struggling with injury for several years before that.
Among the other Australians teeing it up at Southwind, Cameron Percy (69), Aaron Baddeley and Steven Bowditch (70) were the best.