Australian leads PGA Tour qualifier

LAQUINTA, Calif., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Australian James Nitties shot a 9-under 63 Thursday that put him one shot in front after two rounds of the six-day PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament in California.

Nitties completed 36 holes of the grueling and pressure-packed event at 12-under 132.

Robert Garrigus and Harrison Frazar shared second at 133. Nitties, Garrigus and Frazar began the day tied for 36th place and shot to the top of the leaderboard.

The low 25 scores and ties will become fully exempt members of the tour for the 2009 season. Each member of the qualifying tournament field will play the PGA West Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course and Stadium Course three times.

James Oh (63), Bryan DeCorso (68), Geoffrey Sisk (65), Tyler Aldridge (66), Gary Woodland (64), Troy Kelly (68) and Diego Vanegas (64) were tied for fourth at 134.