Craig Barlow making run at spot in Tour Championship

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Stan Badz/PGA TOUR

Craig Barlow came into the week at No. 102 on the money list, but is tied for the lead at Dye's Valley

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- Craig Barlow entered the Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open Presented by Planters knowing the odds were heavily stacked against him to qualify for next week's Nationwide Tour Championship at Daniel Island.

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Barlow started this week ranked 102nd on the Nationwide Tour money list; he needs to get to No. 60 or better after Sunday's final round to secure a spot in next week's season finale.

"I have to finish first or second this week to get to next week's Championship," said Barlow, who's done the math over and over in his head. "That's the only scenario. It's easier said than done. At least, I know what I have to do. If I don't, it's back to q-school in Northern California."

So far, so good. The 38-year-old Barlow followed up his opening round 4-under 66 on Dye's Valley at TPC Sawgrass with a solid 67 Friday morning for a share of second place.

He played bogey-free golf for the first two days until he pushed an iron shot just beyond the flag at 18 in the rough, chipped up, then missed a 10-foot put on the left edge to finish at 7-under.

"I actually played that last hole good," Barlow said. "But you catch some weird lies around the greens and I hit a poor chip. Overall, I haven't been putting myself in much trouble, so when I have, I've scrambled."

Barlow has experience on the bermuda grass at TPC Sawgrass, having played the Stadium Course in THE PLAYERS Championship six times during his career, making just two cuts. About six years ago, he saw Dye's Valley for the first time and liked it very much.

"This is a great golf course," he said. "Remember, I've never played great in Florida. I'm a West Coast guy and I didn't grow up on bermuda and I feel more comfortable on bentgrass. With that being said, I've played enough rounds of golf that I should understand how it works."

Barlow has played both the Nationwide Tour and the PGA TOUR this season, having more success on the PGA TOUR with eight of 10 cuts made -- including a tie for fifth at the Renoe-Tahoe Open in his home state and making the cut in this year's U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

On the Nationwide Tour, he has top-10 finishes at the Melwood Prince George's County Open (T7) and South Georgia Classic (T9).

The limited PGA TOUR play has him ranked only 192nd on the money list, prompting another attempt at his card unless he can hit the jackpot this weekend and and parlay it into a Top 25 finish after next week's Nationwide Tour Championship. The top 25 are guaranteed their PGA TOUR cards in 2011.

The odds are not with him, but the Nevada native knows all about defying the odds -- he's done it his entire career.

Before he earned his first PGA TOUR card in 1998, he worked at Pizza Hut for five years to make ends meet while he waiting for his chance. And, when he finally got it, it wasn't as glorious as he anticipated. A list of injuries mounted almost as long as his list of missed cuts.

In 2009, he again experienced an injury-shortened season, playing just five tournaments with one significant cut made. It was his 150th PGA TOUR cut and gave him the coveted "Veteran Members" status.

Finally in 2010, Barlow is healthy.

"That's a key, but the strength of my game this year has been hitting a lot of greens in regulation," said Barlow, who ranks sixth on the PGA TOUR in greens hit from 100-125 yards. "You get rewarded on a course like this for hitting a lot of greens."

Maybe there will be some reward for Barlow's patience. Despite the odds, it's paying off thus far this week.