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Overton helps himself at Greenbrier Classic

Jeff Overton birdied five of his first nine holes © Getty Images

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Greenbrier Classic Leaderboard

Jeff Overton produced a marvellous display of golf to lead by four strokes after two rounds of the Greenbrier Classic on Friday, building impressively on a flying start along the back nine in White Sulphur Springs.

Overton began the second round one shot adrift of overnight leader Erik Compton, but he quickly set about adding to his score, birdying five of his opening nine holes. The American, who has never won a PGA Tour title, reached the close of play on eight-under-par for the day, leaving him on 14-under for the tournament. Compton could only manage a two-under round and finished with a share of third at nine-under.

Starting on the back nine, Overton hit birdies at 11, 12, 16, 17 and 18 to add to his opening-day 64, and he made it four consecutive birdies with another at the first. The 27-year-old has only hit one bogey in the competition, and he found yet more joy at the fourth and fifth with two more birdies on the par fours.

Boo Weekley had spent much of the second day's play on top of the leaderboard after an excellent round of his own, carding a seven-under 63 to rest in outright second place. Weekley's overall score ahead of the weekend stands at 10-under after a flawless round that included seven birdies.

It was a high-scoring day in general for the players, with Jimmy Walker moving into equal third with Compton after a six-under 64. Walker fired eight birdies after he improved his putting accuracy on Friday, but he will wonder what might have been after bogeys at 15 and 18.

Then come a group of four players on eight-under, including Chris Stroud, who matched Weekley's error-free 63.

Elsewhere, Scandinavian Masters champion Richard S Johnson sits dangerously on seven-under after a conservative 67. Johnson only bogeyed one hole but found birdie putts hard to come by as he failed to force his way amongst the leaders. Jim Furyk also heads into Saturday on seven-under.

Sergio Garcia, straining desperately for form ahead of the Ryder Cup, enjoyed a better day on Friday, carding a three-under 67 that elevated him to five-under for the tournament. Canadian Open winner Carl Pettersson joins the Spaniard on the same score after a splendid 64.

Of the players heading for the cut, English duo Greg Owen and Brian Davis were notable victims.

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