Golf-Overton takes control at the Greenbrier with a sizzling 62 (Reuters)
July 31, 2010
NEW YORK, July 30 (Reuters) – American Jeff Overton,bidding for his maiden PGA Tour title, charged into acommanding four-shot lead in the second round of the GreenbrierClassic at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia on Friday.
A stroke off the pace overnight, Overton fired a flawlesseight-under-par 62 to post a 14-under total of 126 on the OldWhite Course at The Greenbrier.
Helped by a run of four consecutive birdies around theturn, the 27-year-old ended a day of low scoring four ahead ofcompatriot and double PGA Tour winner Boo Weekley (63).
Double heart-transplant recipient Erik Compton, co-leaderovernight, carded a 68 to lie five shots off the pace withfellow American Jimmy Walker (64).
Overton, who has recorded three top-three finishes in hislast six PGA Tour starts, made a sizzling start with twobirdies in the first three holes after teeing off at thepar-four 10th.
He picked up further shots on 16, 17 and 18 to reach theturn in five-under 31 before stretching further ahead of thefield with birdies at the first, fourth and fifth.
U.S. Ryder Cup player Weekley, who has struggled for formthis season due to a shoulder injury, held the early lead at 10under before being eclipsed by Overton late in the day.
“I’m actually feeling pretty good,” Weekley told reportersafter carding a blemish-free round featuring seven birdies. “Atthe John Deere (Classic), I started feeling a little betterabout my game.
“I’ve lost about 20 pounds of weight and kind of got myshoulder feeling a little better. I’m excited to play again. Itfeels like I can actually come out and compete and I don’t haveto take a bunch of Advil.”
World number five Jim Furyk, bidding for his third PGA Tourvictory of the year, returned a 65 to end the day in a nine-waytie for ninth place at seven under—seven off the lead.
The cut fell at two-under 138 with former major winnersTrevor Immelman of South Africa and Americans David Toms, ToddHamilton and Lee Janzen among those missing out.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing bySteve Ginsburg; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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