PGA TOUR: Overdue Overton Leads at The Greenbrier Classic

Featured Columnist Andy Reistetter is on site this week at America's Resort- The Greenbrier for the PGA TOUR's inaugural Greenbrier Classic. Here are his observations and comments for Round 2 on Friday.

Jeff Overton is overdue for a victory on the PGA TOUR.

With $2.4 million in winnings already this year, and about a million each of the last three years, Overton has figured out how to be successful on the PGA TOUR.

Now it is time for him to win one.

With three Top 10 finishes in each of his last three seasons, he has four so far this year.

Now is the time for Jeff Overton to win in this his 20^th start of the season and No. 128 of his career.

The Greenbrier Classic could be the one for Overton to go over the top.

After making a caddie change, he has already finished in second place twice this season, whereas he has only done so one other time in his career.

"I would take a win over 100 seconds. That's what it's all about. It's about coming out here and playing, and for that given week, you know, being able to say you were the best in the world at something."

On The Old White Course with firm and fast fairways and soft and holding greens, Overton has come out firing for the victory opening with 64-62 to take a four stroke lead into the weekend.

"I've always been a pretty confident golfer — you have to be to get to this level — but I just feel more and more comfortable the more and more I'm out here and seeing and getting to know these players and seeing your name on the leader board and just kind of getting used to the whole PGA Tour lifestyle."

Overton's 62 was the best round of the day passing first round co-leaders Erik Compton (63-68) and Matt Every (63-72).

Boo Weekly followed an opening 67 with a bogey-free second round 63 jumping up 23 places to solo second behind Overton.

Beware of the healthy shot maker who won two years in a row at the tight Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island.

"I've lost about 20 pounds of weight and kind of got my shoulder feeling a little better.
I'm excited to play again. (It) feels like I can actually come out and compete and don't have to take a bunch of Advil."

Does Boo have a number in mind that will win the inaugural Greenbrier Classic?

" Only number I got is the first hole, No. 1. That's just to go out and play. That's where I start at. If it pans out where I win, I win."

Boo helped it pan out for Erik Compton who knew what to expect when he teed it up in the afternoon of Round Two.

After an opening 63 he said that "it's just the first round. I've played this sport long enough to know that tomorrow I tee off at 2:00 (p.m.) and might be seven (strokes) back."

Well he wasn't seven strokes back, but he was three strokes back to Boo's posting his 10-under par 130 before Compton teed off.

Compton is five strokes behind Overton and tied for third place with Jimmy Walker (67-64).

Though he hit 15 greens, he could not get the ball in the hole and the frustration started to show.

"I would is say it's a three-shot difference between the morning and the afternoon with the greens. I play tomorrow in the afternoon. You know, hopefully (I) go get some good sleep and just -- you know, I need to be a little better keeping it below the hole. When the greens are bumpy, you can't be above the hole."

Compton went from making nine birdies on Thursday to only three on Friday.

"I'm in good shape for the tournament. But I was just frustrated because, I mean, three birdies out here is not acceptable."

Also near the top of the Birdie Fest at The Greenbrier are Aaron Baddeley (67-64), Briny Baird (67-65), Chris Stroud (69-63) and Charles Howell III (65-67) — all tied for fifth place 6 strokes behind Overton.

A total of 85 players made the 36-hole cut at 2-under 138 with 17 right on the number.

With more than 78 players making the cut, a second "Made Cut Did Not Finish" cut will be made following the third round to low 70 and ties.

John Daly (69-68) is made it with one stroke to spare.

Sergio Garcia (68-67) at 5-under is in T37 position.

Davis Love III (68-66) at 6-under is in T18 position.

The highest ranked player in the field Jim Furyk (68-65) at 7-under is in T9 position seven strokes behind Overton.

Can Overton keep it in overdrive this weekend and win for the first time on the PGA TOUR?

"I would love to win a golf tournament, especially out here. It's been a while. You know, you just never know when it's your time. You just got to continue to play every shot, take it for what it's worth, and live in the moment."

The moment is here for Jeff Overton to win his first PGA TOUR tournament.

Good living and good golfing my friends!

Andy Reistetter is a freelance golf writer. He follows the PGA TOUR volunteering and working part time for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, and The Golf Channel.

He resides in Jacksonville Beach, Florida near the PGA TOUR headquarters and home of The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach.

He enjoys pursuing his passion for the game of golf and everything associated with it. He can be reached through his website www.MrHickoryGolf.net or by e-mailing him to [e-mail]