ESPN Golf

Erik Compton's dreams of playing on the PGA Tour still remain firmly within his grasp after a second consecutive 70 left him in a tie for 16th at the second stage of PGA Tour Q-school on Thursday.

The top 20 and ties advance to the final stage of Q-school in December with a PGA Tour card on the line.

Compton's day got off to a rough start with bogies on his first two holes, Nos. 10 and 11. But two birdies in a three-hole stretch later in his front nine negated the missteps to get him back to even par for the day.

After a birdie on the par-5 5th hole, his 14th of the day, Compton then birdie the par-3 8th which got him to 2 under for his round. He stands at 4 under after 36 holes, the midway point in this event being held at Southern Hills Plantation Club in Brooksville, Florida.

The 28-year-old Compton has had two heart transplants in his lifetime, including his most recent one less than six months ago.

Five players were tied for the lead with 36 holes to play including former PGA Tour winners Robert Gamez and Garrett Willis.