In his first Web.com Tour start of 2017 Stuart Appleby has produced a top-10 finish, the veteran Victorian outright sixth at the El Bosque Mexico Championship.

Appleby lost his full PGA TOUR playing privileges at the end of 2016 though has teed up seven times on the main TOUR since the start of the new wrap-around season.

However, with just one cut made since the season began in October his performance this week will be a major confidence boost as he attempts to get back to the main circuit.

With 20 birdies for the week there is a lot to like about Appleby’s performance in an otherwise difficult week for the Australian brigade.

Appleby and Jamie Arnold were the only two Australians to play the weekend in Mexico, Arnold finishing T32 after a Sunday 73.

Rhein Gibson missed the cut by one after a double bogey at the 17^th hole of his second round while Robert Allenby suffered a similar fate with a bogey at his 35^th hole to also miss by one.

Mark Hensby couldn’t overcome an opening round 78 while Peter Lonard signed fro scores of 74-75, four too many to play the weekend.

Steve Allan withdrew for unknown reasons after an opening round 74.