Akshay Bhatia extended his lead at the Open del Valero Texas Open

Akshay Bhatia survived a rocky start Friday at the Valero Texas Open by recovering with a couple of late birdies to post a card of 70 strokes (-2) and extend his lead to five shots after the second day.

The American started with a three-shot lead and opened with a 15-foot birdie putt, perhaps a sign that it could be another bright day. Nothing could be further from reality. He made bogey from the bunker on the next hole.

He three-putted for bogey from long distance. He didn’t birdie the par 5s of the last nine holes. He no longer has a lead. But the 22-year-old settled for birdies on the par-5s of the front nine at TPC San Antonio, and a birdie on the par-3 eighth hole.

The wind continued to blow, opponents continued to fall and ended up extending his lead. Bhatia was at 11-under 133. Denny McCarthy, who played in the afternoon, was four shots behind Bhatia until he made bogey from the fairway on the par-5 18th for a 70. It came down to him at 6 -under 138 strokes. That dropped him to 6-under 138, along with Brendon Todd (72) and Russell Henley (69).

Rory McIlroy had another consistent par day and did well for a 70 to stay in the mix at 139. McIlroy, in his final event before trying again to complete his career Grand Slam in August.

Augusta National reserves the spot for the winner of the Texas Open. Tommy Fleetwood (69), Webb Simpson (67) and Monday qualifier Peter Kuest (71) were among the 140.

Of the top nine players, only Bhatia, Todd, Simpson and Kuest are out of the field for the Masters. Jordan Spieth is already a Masters champion, and he doesn’t need to leave early for Augusta.

Spieth, who missed his last two cuts, rebounded with a 68 to not only make the cut, but tie for 10th place, eight strokes behind Bhatia.