Cam Davis and Curtis Luck each took important strides back towards the US PGA Tour today.
The two young Aussies are effectively in the repechage of the Korn Ferry Tour finals after neither finished in the top 125 in their rookie year on the main tour.
And both showed today the bottle they need to book their return trip for next season.
While American leader Chris Baker fired a nine-under 63 to set the early pace at the KF Tour Championship, Davis' 68 and Luck's 70 have them sharing ninth and 25th respectively on a strung-out leaderboard.
With the top 25 after this third week of the KF Tour finals series to earn their card, it's just enough on current rankings to have both on the right side of the bubble.
Davis' round was enough for him to push from 34 to 22 on the projected rankings.
The 2017 Australian Open champion took advantage of some good breaks off the tee at the tough Victoria National Golf Club in Indiana, but played some seasoned golf from there to post five birdies against just one bogey.
"It was a bit of a struggle early on," the Sydneysider admitted.
"I got a couple of breaks where I was able to find my ball that was a little bit dicey in the long stuff.
"(But) I just hung in there really well, just kind of got into the rhythm of the round for a while.
"(It) got a little bit tense toward the end (when I) started hitting my driver right, which is very stressful on that back nine.
"(So) it was great to grind out that score after not really feeling that great about the swing starting the day. It's a good way to get the week going."
Luck, who shared sixth place in week one of the finals, needs to finish approximately in the mid-30s or better at week's end to return to the big dance.
The West Australian traded two bogeys with two birdies on the front nine, but made no such mistakes on the back nine and closed at a projected 21st.
Cam Percy (+1) and Rhein Gibson (+2) have both already booked their PGA Tour cards, but a big day looms tomorrow for both Jamie Arnold and Brett Coletta.
Both men fired 74s and must make the cut after round two to have any chance of promotion.
Melbourne's Coletta must charge up the leaderboard and finish well inside the top 10, but Sydney's Arnold can advance with a share of 25th or better; he is currently projected at 30th.