Arjun Atwal carded his best round so far with a two-under 70 but still slipped down seven places to tied 63rd at the midway stage of the six round US PGA Tour Qualifying School finals in California.
Atwal had four birdies against two bogeys, but it still did not help him move up the standings.
Atwal is allowed to play in 15 events next year after gaining a conditional card for his 140th place finish on the money list last season.
Australian Paul Gow who shot a 65 to a 13-under-par 203 total is the leader. Korea's Charlie Wi enjoyed a blemish free round with a steady six-under-par 66 in the third round and was in tied 22nd position eight strokes behind the leader.
Wi was four-under after nine holes and with two more birdies on the 11th and 15 holes, the Maybank Malaysian Open winner has now inched his way into the top-30.
Players, who finish in the top-30 and ties, will earn their full playing rights for next season.
A third straight 71 for American Edward Loar resulted in him slipping down the leaderboard to tied 38th place with a 213 total.
After a sluggish second round, Korea's Yang Yong-eun improved with a 71 in joint 80th place alongside Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng who shot up the ranks after a solid 68.
Also in 80th spot was South African Garth Mulroy who fired a 66 after seven birdies against a lone bogey.