John Senden made a late charge at the Shriners Hospitals for Children event in Las Vegas at the weekend, his 4-under 67 on Sunday vaulting him into the top 20 on the leader board.

Senden, who began the day in a share of 34th, shot his best round of the week on the final day in his first tournament for the 2014/15 season and climbed to T18.Aaron Baddeley and Jarrod Lyle were the only other Australians to survive all four rounds in what was ultimately a disappointing week on the PGA TOUR.

Baddeley shot a final round 66 to jump 28 places to T33 while Lyle finished a shot further back at 8-under the card and T42 for the week.Last week’s standout performers, Steven Bowditch and Robert Allenby, both missed the cut while Cameron Percy and Stuart Appleby fell victim to the third round cut instituted when more than 70 players qualify for the weekend.

Lyle will be especially pleased with his play in just his second tournament back from battling leukemia as two made cuts have him lying 31st on the FedEx Cup points list through two events.

The 33-year-old is allowed 19 starts in his comeback to earn US$283,825 but will have to rely on sponsor’s exemptions and Monday qualifying for opportunities as his exemption category is so low.

With $33,300 already in the bank it’s a positive start to what will be a difficult year for Lyle as he attempts to earn back the TOUR card he held in 2012 before being diagnosed with cancer for the second time.