CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- All Trevor Immelman needed was just a little bit of time.

During Saturday’s third round of the Wachovia Championship, Immelman got off to a shaky start with bogeys on third and the sixth hole. His outlook changed considerably at the seventh hole, though.

“I hit two nice shots down that par 5 to about 10 feet and rolled that one in,” the 26-year-old Immelman said. “That kind of jump-started my round.”

The well-timed eagle was a momentum boost as the South African made five birdies coming home to put him at 6 under for the day.

“So I was really just kind of hanging in there, and then started to find a little bit of form on the last few holes with my ball-striking,” Immelman said. “My putter hung in there with me, so that was nice. All-in-all, a pretty solid round.”

His 10-under total through three rounds was enough for a second place tie with fellow South African Retief Goosen. Jim Furyk leads the tournament at 11-under par.

It’s not only at Quail Hollow that Immelman has needed an adjustment period. He said it took a while for him to get used to playing full-time on the PGA TOUR this year, after playing the European Tour predominantly for the three previous seasons.

“I think I’m starting to find my feet a little bit, playing a full schedule,” Immelman said. “I think over the last three years, I’ve always known I was going to have only between 10 or 12 events and, when you’ve got that in the back of your mind, you’re almost trying to force the issue when you’re over here.”

Immelman feels relieved to have a chance to play in more events as opposed to only the bigger TOUR tournaments like the four majors and the World Golf Championships.

“I think this year knowing that I was going to play a full schedule took a lot of pressure off, and I knew I could kind of pace myself and maybe try and gain some momentum as the year goes,” he said. “I think that’s a sign I’m starting to feel a little more comfortable.”

He is attempting to maintain his status on both Tours, which means Immelman must play 11 events on the European Tour and 15 on the PGA TOUR.

Earlier in the week, Immelman discussed the difficulties of dividing his TOUR time. He said he would like to continue to play both but is unsure at this point if he can manage it.

“The first reason is that my World Ranking has slipped a little bit and I missed tournaments like the (World Golf Championships-Accenture) Match Play (Championships),” he said. “I missed (THE PLAYERS Championship ), so it's becoming a little more challenging.

“Also, my wife and I are expecting a kid later in the year, so that might even cut my schedule in Europe even more.”

Considered by many to be an up-and-coming talent, Immelman was chosen by his hero Gary Player as one of his two Captain’s Picks for the 2005 Presidents Cup. He’s won four times internationally, but is looking for his first win in the U.S.

Immelman’s best finish this year was a tie for seventh at the Nissan Open. He is ranked 92nd on the TOUR money list with $346,286.

With skills that have caused Player and other TOUR members to take notice, perhaps all Immelman needs is a little more time before he breaks through on the PGA TOUR.

Or maybe his time has finally come this week at the Wachovia.