Overton in front by 4 at Greenbrier Classic

Stuart Appleby of Australia, holds the winners trophy on the 18th green after winning the Greenbrier Classic golf tournament at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Sunday, Aug. 1, 2010. Appleby hit golf’s magic number Sunday, shooting a 59 to win the Greenbrier Classic. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

Story Topics

• Sports
• Jeff Overton
• The Pga Tour
• Pga Tour
• Erik Compton

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WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA. (AP) - Jeff Overton shot an 8-under 62 on Friday to take a four-stroke lead midway through the inaugural Greenbrier Classic.

Overton, winless in five years on the PGA Tour, shot the low round of the tournament, using wedges on all but one approach shot during a bogey-free round on the Old White course. He was 14 under.

Boo Weekley, finally healthy after tearing a labrum in his left shoulder a year ago, was 10 under after a 63.

Jimmy Walker (64) and double heart transplant recipient Erik Compton (68) were 9 under. Compton, the first-round co-leader, is playing on a sponsor’s exemption.

Aaron Baddeley (65), Briny Baird (65), Chris Stroud (63) and Charles Howell III (67) were six strokes back at 8 under.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) _ Boo Weekley’s bum shoulder is improving and the self-proclaimed redneck has put down the fishing pole, hoping it might lead to a win at a tournament not named the Heritage.

Weekley equaled his best round of the year with a 7-under 63 on Friday on the Old White course to vault into second place, four strokes behind leader Jeff Overton, midway through the inaugural Greenbrier Classic.

Weekley hit 17 greens in regulation and had seven birdies during a bogey-free morning round for a two-day total of 10 under.

“I’m excited to play again,” Weekley said. “Feels like I can actually come out and compete and don’t have to take a bunch of (pain relievers) or nothing where I can play.”

The Greenbrier’s policy of jackets required for its finer restaurants and $80 million underground casino might not suit Weekley’s folksy lifestyle, but the Southerner admits feeling at home among the local fans, who consider him one of their own.

Weekley remembers fans rallying behind him when he played in several Nationwide Tour events in Bridgeport about 3 hours to the north, although he feels West Virginia owes him one after he lost in a playoff in 2006.

“It would be nice if my stars line up,” he said.

The avid fisherman and hunter no longer packs the tackle box along with his clubs. Trout-stocked Howard’s Creek runs throughout The Greenbrier, including in front of the first and 18th tees, but Weekley isn’t giving in to the temptation.

“I put all my stuff up when I come to tournaments now,” Weekley said. “I just mostly focus on golf and do my job and be done with it.”

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