Share

Overton leads Frys.com Open

San Jose - Jeff Overton fired a seven-under par 64 on Thursday to take the first-round lead in the Frys.com Open, the first event of the US PGA Tour's new "wrap around" 2013-2014 season.

Overton eagled the par-five ninth hole at CordeValle Golf Club and added five more birdies to take a one-stroke lead over fellow American Brian Harman.

Harman had eight birdies and two bogeys in his six-under 65.

Kyle Stanley finished in third after a five-under 66 highlighted by an eagle at the par-five 15th.

Michael Putnam, who won the money title on the Web.com developmental tour to regain his PGA Tour card, was among a group of six on 67 alongside South Korea's Charlie Wi and J.J. Henry.

Overton, who has been working on a new grip in a bid to ease tendinitis in his wrist, said the move was paying dividends.

"My wrist has been bothering me," he said. "I've had a little tendinitis in it for a few years and (the new grip) allows my wrist to get a little more square at the top of my backswing without having to tweak it a little bit."

Overton parred his first seven holes before a birdie at the eighth, followed by his eagle at the ninth -- where he hit his 250-yard second shot 21 feet from the pin and made the putt.

Back-to-back birdies at 12 and 13 were followed with another brace at 17 and 18 -- tapping in from two feet at the last.

"It would be great if we can continue this thing and keep it rolling," Overton said.

The $5 million tournament was previously part of the USPGA Tour's late season series, a slate of events that in recent years gave rank-and-file pros a chance to earn prize money toward keeping their tour cards as bigger names took a break in the wake of the FedEx Cup playoffs.

This year, the Frys.com Open marks the start of the 2013-2014 season, and like all six events that will be played before January will offer FedEx Cup playoff points and a coveted Masters berth to the winner.

Sweden's Jonas Blixt, who captured his first PGA Tour title here last year, opened his title defence with a two-under 69 that left him in a large group sharing 19th place that also included Fijian veteran Vijay Singh and South African Tyrone Van Aswegen.

Scores on Thursday after the first round of the $5 million USPGA Tour's Frys.com Open (USA unless noted, par 71):

64 - Jeff Overton

65 - Brian Harman

66 - Kyle Stanley

67 - Jason Kokrak, Michael Putnam, J.J. Henry, Charlie Wi (KOR), Jim Herman, Brooks Koepka

68 - Robert Allenby, George McNeill, Alex Aragon, John Peterson, Camilo Villegas (COL), Johnson Wagner, Scott Brown, Justin Hicks, Lee Williams

69 - Luke Guthrie, Jonas Blixt (SWE), Vijay Singh (FIJ), Billy Hurley, Chris Williams, Mark Hubbard, Davis Love, Ben Crane, Jerry Kelly, Will MacKenzie, Tyrone Van Aswegen (RSA), Max Homa, Ryo Ishikawa (JPN), Bud Cauley, Ben Martin

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE