Golf-Overton takes control with a 62 at the Greenbrier (Reuters)
July 31, 2010
* Sizzling 62 puts Overton four strokes clear
* Seeks maiden PGA Tour title
(Adds Overton quotes, detail)
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.
“I’m playing well, I don’t really know the last time I wasplaying with this much confidence,” Overton told reporters.“I’m also feeling very comfortable.
COMFORT LEVEL
“I’ve always been a pretty confident golfer—you have tobe to get to this level—but I just feel more and morecomfortable the more I’m out here … and seeing my name on theleaderboard.”
Asked how anxious he was to claim his first PGA Tour titleafter finishing second on three previous occasions, he replied:“I would love to win a golf tournament. You just never knowwhen it’s your time. You just got to continue to play everyshot, take it for what it’s worth, and live in the moment.”
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 said aftercarding a blemish-free round featuring seven birdies. “At theJohn Deere (Classic), I started feeling a little better aboutmy 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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