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GREENSBORO - On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, Kevin Streelman dropped by his alma mater, Duke University. It was a chance to relive the good old college days, but also a moment to ponder what might have been.

Five years ago, Streelman applied for a job as assistant golf coach at Duke. He was the runner-up for the position, losing out to Jim Kubinski, who is now the head coach at Notre Dame.

"I was disappointed for a time," Streelman said.

Not anymore. Had he gotten that job Streelman wouldn't have been where he was Friday, at Sedgefield Country Club shooting a blistering 29 on the front nine on his way to a round of 64. His two-round score of 10-under 130 has Streelman in fourth place heading into the weekend at the Wyndham Championship.

"I think things happen for a reason," he said.

There were plenty of times when that reason eluded Streelman. For six years he tried fruitlessly to earn a spot on the PGA Tour. He played the full gamut of mini-tours. Twice during qualifying school he missed advancing to the next stage by one stroke.

In 2004, in Kingwood, Texas, Streelman was heading for a low third-round score during the second stage of Q-School. Then came torrential rain that cut short his day after 15 holes. For three days the rain came down, until eventually the tournament was called off and only scores through the first two rounds were counted. Streelman's third-round score -- he estimated he was 5-under for the day -- was wiped out.

His two-round score was three shots short of advancing to the final stage of qualifying.

"I could write a book," he said.

The plotline in that book has since taken a happy turn for Streelman. In December 2007, he finished 14th at Q-School and earned his PGA Tour card. One month later, he was in the final group to start the third round at the Buick Invitational. Walking the fairway alongside him was a guy by the name of Tiger Woods.

"The Buick was definitely an eye-opening experience," Streelman said.

It would still take more time before Streelman could convince himself that he belonged at the highest level of golf.

"Once you're able to look at them as guys doing the same thing you're doing -- and knowing you can compete -- then you known you can have a good chance out here," he said.

That moment came for Streelman at the U.S. Open, when he shot a 68 in the first round to grab a share of the lead. He faded to finish in a tie for 53rd, but the confidence Streelman gained then has continued to surge.

The Wyndham Championship is the 10th straight cut Streelman has made. Coming into this week, the 29-year-old was 114th on the money list. A strong finish here would go a long way toward ensuring he finishes in the top 125 at year's end -- earning him his tour card for 2009.

"Hopefully, I can keep putting myself in good positions and eventually the right thing will happen," he said.

Clearly, Streelman speaks from experience.