Overton takes control with a sizzling 62 at the Greenbrier

Published on Saturday 31 July 2010 18:08

American Jeff Overton, bidding for his maiden PGA Tour title, charged into a commanding four-shot lead in the second round of the Greenbrier Classic at White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

A stroke off the pace overnight, Overton fired a flawless eight-under-par 62 to post a 14-under total of 126 on the Old White Course at The Greenbrier.

Helped by a run of four consecutive birdies around the turn, the 27-year-old ended a day of low scoring four ahead of double PGA Tour winner Boo Weekley (63). Double heart-transplant recipient Erik Compton, co-leader overnight, carded a 68 to lie five shots off the pace with fellow American Jimmy Walker (64).

Overton, who has recorded three top-three finishes in his last six PGA Tour starts, made a sizzling start with two birdies in the first three holes after teeing off at the par-four 10th. He picked up further shots on 16, 17 and 18 to reach the turn in five-under 31 before stretching further ahead of the field with birdies at the first, fourth and fifth.

"I'm playing well, I don't really know the last time I was playing with this much confidence," Overton said.

"I'm also feeling very comfortable. 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 I'm out here... and seeing my name on the leaderboard."

World No.5 Jim Furyk, bidding for his third PGA Tour victory of the year, returned a 65 to end the day in a nine-way tie for ninth place at seven under - seven off the lead. The cut fell at two-under 138 with former major winners Trevor Immelman of South Africa and Americans David Toms, Todd Hamilton and Lee Janzen among those missing out.