PONTE VERDA, Fla. — Kevin Chappell was three shots outside the cut halfway through his second round at TPC Sawgrass. Not only did he rally to earn a weekend tee time, but he eventually finished second at THE PLAYERS to continue the best season of his career.

Chappell moved up 10 spots in the FedExCup to No. 5. This is his third runner-up of the season (The RSM Classic, Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard). Chappell, who turns 30 in July, won the 2008 NCAA individual title while at UCLA. He is still seeking his first PGA Tour victory.

He made birdie on eight of his final 10 holes Friday, shooting a record-tying 29 on the back nine. He shot 70-69 on the tough weekend at TPC Sawgrass thanks to three eagles on par-5s.

“I’m really proud of the way I hung in there,” Chappell said. “I was 2 over par through 26 holes and really fought hard to make the cut. … To hang in there today after a slower start, I’m real proud of myself.”

Chappell was 2 over after seven holes Sunday, but made a birdie at No. 9 and then chipped in for eagle at the par-5 11th. He added birdies at 16 and 17 to his bogey-free back nine.

“It kind of mirrored my week,” Chappell said of his final round. “Slow start, and really fought there in the middle of the round to salvage it. … And then I finished strong, which is nice.”