Sydney’s Matt Jones continues to inch towards regaining his PGA TOUR rights for 2018 with a promising display at the FedEx St Jude Classic at the weekend.

Jones narrowly missed retaining his playing rights at the back end of last year but is making a good fist of getting back to the world’s top circuit with some solid golf in his limited appearances so far this year.

His T17 finish in Memphis lifted the former Australian Open champion 10 places to 127^th on the FedEx Cup points list and within touching distance of the top-125 who will be assured a card in 2018.

A brilliant opening 65 at TPC Southwind set up his good showing though a final round of 2-over 72, when he entered Sunday in a share of sixth position, was a disappointing way to finish.

After going out in 2-over Jones looked to be on the comeback trail when he made his first birdie of the day at the 10^th but disaster struck with a double bogey at the 12^th.

His second and final birdie of the day at the par-5 16^th was a positive note to finish on but Jones will no doubt feel he let an opportunity slip.

The disappointing finish also meant Jones missed out on top Australian honours for the week, that going instead to Adam Scott who once again produced a mixed bag on his way to T10.

Scott opened with a 1-over 71 before setting the course alight with a brilliant 64 that could have been several shots lower if his putter had co-operated.

A 71-68 weekend, including three birdies in his final five holes of the tournament, will see the Queenslander head to the US Open at Erin Hills this week feeling good about his game.

Brett Drewitt was the final Australian to make the cut thanks mainly to an excellent 65 in round two, the PGA TOUR rookie finishing T60 after a final round 74.

Cameron Percy, Stuart Appleby, Steven Bowditch and Curtis Luck all missed the cut.