By Bill Cooney, PGATOUR.COM A number of PGA TOUR players are pushing to get into the top 125 on the money list at this week's Frys.com Open in order to earn full status for the 2013 PGA TOUR season. Here is a look at a few of the golfers playing this weekend who are near the number. You can check out the projected money list here. JOHN MALLINGER: Not only is Mallinger in line to pick up his status for next season, he's right where he needs to be to earn his first PGA TOUR win and the two-year exemption that comes with it. Mallinger carded a course record-tying 9-under 62 in the second round to take a four-shot lead. Mallinger has a pair of top-fives this season, including a second-place tie at the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation. FOLLOW HIM HERE. NICOLAS COLSAERTS: Colsaerts' story has been well-documented. He would currently rank 120th on the money list if he was a PGA TOUR member. He's attempting to solidify his position in order for him to be a member on both the European Tour and PGA TOUR next season. The rising star has a pair of top 10s in only eight events this season. And he's off to a solid start at the Frys.com Open, carding 65-68 to enter the third round T4. FOLLOW HIM HERE. TIM HERRON: Herron is coming off his best finish of the season with a T10 at last week's J.T. Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. He opened 63-68-68 before finishing with a 73. He's playing well again this week, opening 70-65 and was just starting his third round. Herron could also qualify for next season based on the career money list, but is currently not eligible. FOLLOW HIM HERE. JEFF MAGGERT: Maggert has carded only three rounds in the 60s during his past four tournaments. He's made 12 of 24 cuts this season, with his best finish being back in January at the Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation where he placed fifth. But Maggert did open with 67-71 at CordeValle and was 2 under through seven holes in his third round. Maggert could also qualify for next season based on the career money list, but is currently not eligible. FOLLOW HIM HERE. NICK O'HERN: O'Hern jumped in front after a first-round 62 that matched the course record at CordeValle. He followed that up with a 71 and was tied for fourth prior to teeing off. O'Hern entered this week at No. 144 on the money list, but was projected to move into the top 125 with a top-five finish. His lone top 10 this season was a T3 at the FedEx St. Jude Classic. FOLLOW HIM HERE. BILLY HORSCHEL: Horschel was in an interesting spot this week. Not only did he come in at No. 147 on the money list, Horschel -- who has conditional status this season -- is ranked No. 83 on the Web.com Tour money list. He would need to get into the top 60 on the Web.com to qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship, but has instead decided to take his shot on the PGA TOUR. So far, so good. Horschel opened with 67-65 and is currently T2 and projected to move up 45 spots to No. 102 on the money list. Of course, things can change in a hurry, which is why this week is so big for him. FOLLOW HIM HERE.

By Fred Albers, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent

SAN MARTIN, Calif. -- Billy Horschel knows the rules of golf and knew he was entitled to relief. He had driven into a “burrowing animal hole” on the 17th hole. The rules provide for relief and with a free drop, Horschel was able to turn a potential bogey into a birdie. The rules of golf don’t always work against a player; sometimes they work in his favor.

Turf talk: John Mallinger is the California kid. He is from the San Diego area and seems to play well in his home state. He has several good finishes at Pebble Beach and is in contention this week. What’s the secret? Mallinger says he likes the turf in Northern California. It’s a firm surface that surrenders a healthy divot and it reminds him of the turf he grew up on in San Diego.

Green speed: It was a noticeably different golf course in the second round. Thursday’s rain had softened the greens, and no longer was there a giant bounce when golf balls landed. The greens were receptive in the morning and stayed that way throughout the round, so players quickly adjusted and became more aggressive with their approaches.

Putting: Nick O’Hern shot 62 in the opening round using just 23 putts and ranking fifth in strokes gained-putting on Thursday. He did not possess the same touch on Friday. O’Hern took 30 putts in shooting even par and was ranked 13th in SGP. There was nothing discernibly wrong with the strokes -- Nick rolled several balls right past the lip but the cup did not swallow.

Time off: Horschel had not played in a PGA TOUR event since before the FedExCup Playoffs began but it was time well spent. He hired a physical trainer for the first time since high school and is noticeably stronger. Horschel says he has gained swing speed thanks to increased fitness.

Fred Albers is a course reporter for SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio.  For more information on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, click here .

For the second time this week, a player tied the course record at CordeValle. This time it was John Mallinger, who shot 62 Friday to take a four-shot lead at 14 under halfway through the Frys.com Open.

Mallinger, who has yet to make a bogey this week, made seven birdies and an eagle in the second round. He shot 30 on the back nine and took just 26 putts for a second straight day.

Billy Horschel and Jhonattan Vegas are tied for second at 10 under, while Nicolas Colsaerts is one of three players another stroke back.

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM

Billy Horschel has played just once since missing the FedExCup Playoffs.

The time off helped. So did the decision to hire a trainer.

“I've gained a little bit more speed in my swing that I lost when I had my wrist surgery,” said Horschel, who shot a 65 Friday to enter the weekend 10 under and in contention at the Frys.com Open. “I feel fitter and more comfortable with myself.”

He also feels comfortable at CordeValle. Last year, he opened with a 65 there before finishing in a tie for seventh.

Horschel also finished seventh in his only start -- in Boise, on the Web.com Tour -- over the last two months.

Friday, he made seven birdies and just one bogey, closing in 31 with five of his birdies coming over the final seven holes.

“I feel like I've done everything you need to do to finally step into that winner's circle,” said Hoschel, who is using a trainer for the first time since high school. “Obviously a lot of golf still left to play. I can't do anything but go out there and try and play my own game.”

Billy Horschel has spent much of the year bouncing back and forth between the PGA TOUR and the Web.com Tour.

Now he has a chance to get back to the former, full time.

Horschel shot 65 Friday at CordeValle, where he is 10 under and leads by one early in the second round of the Frys.com Open.

The former All-American out of the University of Florida also shot 65 there in last year’s final round on his way to a tie for seventh.

Friday, Horschel made seven bidies, including four in a five-hole stretch, and just one bogey.

Horschel entered the week 147th on the money list with his best finish a third-place finish in Mississippi his best result in 14 starts on TOUR. He also has two top 10s in seven starts on the Web.com Tour.

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM

Nicolas Colsaerts grew up in Belgium but soon might be playing in the United States on a regular basis.

“This is all new for me, but every bit of taste that I get when I come over here and play is wonderful,” he said. “It would be stupid to think that I wouldn't like to play over here.”

He’s moving closer to doing so, too.

Last week, Colsaerts accepted special temporary membership to the PGA TOUR -- meaning he is eligible to receive unlimited sponsor exemptions for the remainder of the season. He’s now hoping to turn that into a TOUR card for next season.

The Belgian has earned $652,886 in eight starts this season, which includes three World Golf Championships starts. To earn his card for next year, he needs to remain inside the top 125 on the 2012 money list (currently Jeff Maggert is 125th with $598,994).

Colsaerts was originally a sponsor exemption in the Frys.com Open but ended up getting in on his number after the last reshuffle on September 24.

Fast forward to this week’s Frys.com Open and Colsaerts is just another step closer to locking up his card for next year.

Colsaerts opened with a 65 and Friday shot 68 to get to 9 under and in contention for his first win on this side of the pond.

A victory would give Colsaerts a two-year exemption.

It’s also probably not the last time Colsaerts will be in contention, either. Despite growing up overseas, Colsaerts, whose great grandfather represented Belgium at basketball and water polo at the 1920 Olympics, says the courses in the U.S. suit his game better.

”The conditions of the courses are just unbelievable to what we're used to,” he said. “It's a kid's dream to play on courses as immaculate as these.”

How do you think Colsaerts would fare on TOUR? Discuss below.