The Starter, Round 3: The Greenbrier Classic

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Jul. 30, 2010
By PGATOUR.COM staff

The third round of The Greenbrier Classic tees off Saturday. Here's a preview:

Groups We're Watching

Tee time	Players
1:01 p.m. ET No. 1		Jim Furyk, Brendon de Jonge Two of the more experienced players in contention, this duo could make a charge on Saturday.
1:46 p.m. ET, No. 1		Jimmy Walker, Erik Compton Compton's second round wasn't nearly as good as his first, but he's still near the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend.
1:55 p.m. ET, No. 1		Jeff Overton, Boo Weekley Overton has 15 birdies so far, and is in the top 20 in the field in driving distance, driving accuracy, total putts, and greens in regulation.

MORE ROUND 3: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the course

EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR NETWORK on-site correspondent Doug Bell previews Round 3:

The buzz in the air at The Greenbrier Classic is electric and will be on full display from the start of today's third round until they crown a champion on Sunday. The fans have come out in full force and the setup surrounding the par-3 18th green will be one of the PGA TOUR's most memorable places to be in the 2010 season.

The hole locations will be on the front this weekend, with a huge humpback in the middle of the green serving as a backstop. I've got a feeling we'll see an ace or two by the tournament's end. West Virginia native and basketball legend Jerry West will be sitting behind the green over the next two rounds. I can't wait to witness the excitement.

Saturday's forecast

Sunny early, chance of thunderstorms late
Temp: 80 high/63 low
Chance of precipitation: 10 percent. Winds from N at around 10 mph.

Jeff Overton must control his emotions as he looks for his first TOUR title. That's where a veteran caddie comes into play, and Overton has Eric Larson on the bag. Larson is a calming influence and has carried for winner's Mark Calcavecchia and Anthony Kim on TOUR. Overton is immensely talented but has to fight through the butterflies and other thoughts that creep into young players' minds when looking for that first win.

Perhaps the crowd favorite is Boo Weekley, who comes to West Virginia healthy for the first time since the beginning of the season. Boo says his ailing shoulder is 100 percent healthy. He has been putting in extra practice time on the range and it's shown. Last week he went home to work on his putting and that part of his game has improved greatly this week.

I spent time with Chris Couch after his second round and he's quietly put together a solid season while playing on a major medical extension . He's in position to secure his 2011 card with a strong finish this weekend. He's refreshingly honest in describing how he almost threw his career away with reckless behavior before his injury. You have to root for a guy who has figured things out the right way.

I can't wait to get to the course today along with thousands of excited West Virginians.

INSTRUCTOR'S CORNER: Shane Gillespie, head instructor at TOUR Academy Orlando, analyzes the playing conditions this week:

The Greenbrier found itself defenseless Friday as the PGA TOUR players made a full frontal assault on the Old White Course. It's not often that a player cards a 63 -- like Boo Weekly, Chris Stroud, Tom Gillis and James Nitties did in Round 2 -- only to find out that three other players matched him step-for-step. Even more shocking may be the realization that you didn't even have the low round of the day. That title belongs to the current leader Jeff Overton, who finished the day at 8-under-par 62. Players are crushing drives leading to short iron shots. And receptive greens are holding balls from both the fairway and the rough. Perfect putting surfaces lead to a number of birdies and low scores.

Will The Greenbrier be able to defend itself against the players this weekend? I think only the weather will be able to play defense in White Sulphur Springs. With the possibility of rain on Saturday and Sunday the greens will remain soft and the scoring will continue to stay low. Strong winds will be the only curve ball the course can throw at the players. If winds remain calm expect to see a number of rounds under 65 -- Round 2 had 16 rounds of 65 or better. It's possible that we may see a player even shoot a 58 or 59.

The Film Room

	Round 2 Highlights: The Greenbrier Classic Jeff Overton takes a four-stroke lead into the weekend at the 2010 Greenbrier Classic. Watch it
	Shot of the Day: Round 2 Bob Estes chips in for birdie from the short side of the green on the par-3 18th hole during Round 2 of the 2010 Greenbrier Classic. Watch it
	PGA TOUR Today: July 31, 2010 Jeff Overton shoots a season best 8-under 62 to lead by four strokes over Boo Weekley heading into the weekend at the 2010 Greenbrier Classic. Casey Black looks forward to the weekend in West Virginia. Watch it