The current top-5's (real-time as I'm typing) positions respectively from first to fifth: 142nd, 129th, 164th, 128th and 202nd.  It's interesting (and we all seem to forget this around this time of year) how the players who have their cards locked up for next year tend to step out of the way for those who do; like our top-5 right now.  The play itself has been pretty crisp, as you'd expect; although there are quite a few more than you'd expect who aren't playing as well.  The current cut line is +3 as we speak; and it does seem to be a challenge for a lot of players you wouldn't expect it from.  However, it's a very tightly bunched group on the good side of the cut line; meaning there's the potential for a whole lot of lead changes, or a big move one way or the other on the weekend.  This week's Who Is He currently leads the tournament through a round-and-a-half, currently sitting at -8, a two-shot lead.

Who Is He: Jeff Overton

Age: 25

Birthplace: Evansville, Indiana, United States

Current Tour: PGA Tour (Top-125 Money List Exemption)

Turned Pro: 2005 (Nationwide Tour)

Earnings:  Nationwide Tour. 11 Events Played, 8 Cuts Made.  Best Finish, T-17th.  $46,272.  PGA Tour. 75 Events Played, 45 Cuts Made.  Best Finish, 2nd (2007). $2,049,196.

Why Should We Care: Overton currently (as of printing) leads the Turning Stone by two shots against a decent field; and in most cases a desperate field.  He's a very young and talented player who has only a few things to tighten up in his game if he wants to be successful going forward.  He's a competitive player; and one who has shown the ability to grind out a good finish, even if things aren't working out for him.  And when they are, he's got the ability to absolutely catch fire.  These are things that he will need to work on as he continues to mature as a golfer.  Some people get it done, and some people never do; but Overton, unlike a lot of younger players out there; really looks like the kid you dragged off his High School golf team.  Regardless, if he tightens his game; it won't matter what he looks like.  He's absolutely got the goods and raw talent to succeed on Tour.  Clinching another card this week would go a long way to building his confidence. 

He's got some work to do in his game, let there be no doubt.  He is 39th in Driving Distance, and that will serve him well; especially on a course like this one.  What he MUST fix are the other core parts of his game.  He's 197th in Driving Accuracy.  He's 145th in Greens In Regulation.  He's 186th in Sand Saves.  Those all need to get to at least "average" before Overton can, week after week, compete on that elite (or at least "check-cashing") level.  And, without exception, they all need to be fixed.  You can't suffer that badly in these categories and expect to have a good career on Tour; especially with some of the greats you'll see in the field this week.  His one saving grace may be his putting; he's 74th in Putting Average, and 91st in Putts Per Round.  While that isn't terrific by any means; it IS better than average, and gives him something to build on; to kind of bookend his game with his driver.  Accuracy and sand play CAN be fixed; they're two of the correctable things you can do to improve.  You can tweak your swing and try to get an extra five yds/drive - and you can change putters 100 times; but accuracy and sand play can be fixed through practice.  That's a positive to take away into the off-season.

This week, he's done pretty much just that; improve those things you can improve on; at least to this point in the tournament.  He's 4th in Driving Distance and T-63rd in Driving Accuracy; no surprise there.  He's also T-30th in Putting Average - also not a huge surprise.  What IS the big surprise is this:  He's 1st in Sand Saves and T-1st in Greens In Regulation.  In fact, he was 100% on GIR today, and is at 91.7% for the Tournament.  That is, in a word, outstanding.  Now if he could bring THIS kind of game every week; he'd be a top-25 player.  As it is, he's got a track record of inconsistency - but if this tournament is any indication; he might be improving where he needs to be improving.