WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Pat Perez continued the most impressive week of his career Sunday by firing a 7-under 65 that gave him a two-shot lead with one round to play in the six-day PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament.
Perez, who played the 2001 season on the Buy.com Tour, reached 27-under 333 for five rounds over the two courses of the Bear Lakes Country Club that are being used for the pressure-packed event.
The top 35 and ties among the 167 players who began the week will earn full playing rights on the PGA Tour next year. After five rounds, the cutoff point for earning a tour card was 15-under 345.
Kenneth Staton all but wrapped up a spot among the top 35 by shooting a 9-under 63 Sunday that left him in second place, two shots behind Perez. Tour veteran Tommy Armour III was alone in third at 338 after a 67 while Pete Jordan, Bob Burns and Canadian Ian Leggatt shared fourth at 339.
Among those at 340, tied for seventh place and in excellent shape going into the last round, was Gary Nicklaus. The son of golfing legend Jack Nicklaus, who has walked every step of the way with his son this week, Gary Nicklaus birdied the final hole for a 67 Saturday.
Other tour veterans within the current culine were Robert Gamez at 18-under 342 and Blaine McCallister at 16-under 344.
Ty Tryon, who at 17 is attempting to become the youngest player ever to earn his tour card, shot a 70 Sunday and was tied for 50th place. Among the best moves made Sunday was that of Jess Daley, who jumped from a tie for 54th to a tie for 20th with a round of 65.
