Overton shoots 67 to take lead at Turning Stone

Despite the inclement weather, the greens remained firm, perfectly smooth and lightning quick.

"I mean, I was pretty lucky," said Allan, who had five birdies to go with one bogey. "One of my birdies I was actually in the trees. I had a go at getting it through the tree, which got it on the green, and then holed a really long, like probably a 70-footer, which was the first birdie of day. That kind of got me going."

Of the leaders, Van Pelt might have been wearing the biggest smile. A former star in college at Oklahoma State, he was well-versed in playing in difficult conditions.

"I like it when it's windy. The tougher the better," Van Pelt said. "We had plenty of days like this in Stillwater. You knew it was going to be bad for everybody, so you just try to have a good attitude.

"But it wasn't easy. It was pretty darn cold and nasty this morning. I don't think anybody's got an advantage. I think the best advantage you have is if you've got a good attitude. You get a bad attitude in weather like this, and you might as well just go home."

Home is where Brad Faxon has been for more than a year, and he could have picked a different tournament to start his comeback from surgery on his right knee last December. But Turning Stone is within driving distance of his Rhode Island home, and he was glad he made the trip, even after shooting a 76.

"It's hard to stay focused," said Faxon, who still has trouble squatting to line up putts. "I'm still a little bit timid, don't think I'm swinging as hard as I can. But I thought today was OK. It's a good story just getting back and playing 18 holes."

The top 125 players on the money list at the end of the season will retain fully exempt status to play on the PGA Tour in 2009.

That makes this event, the richest in the Fall Series with a $6 million purse, oh-so-meaningful. Day is ranked 129th in money with just under $600,000, three spots ahead of Allen, Overton is 142nd, Ridings 152nd, Franco 163rd, Hensby 164th, Allan 167th, and Jones 185th. First place pays $1.08 million, which would vault the 20-year-old Day near the top 50 and the others inside the top 100.

"You get to this point in the season, you've got to play well," Allen said. "Your job's on the line.

Davis Love III, 155th on the money list and in danger of losing fully exempt status for 2009, shot a 3-over 75 and was tied with 18-year-old U.S. Amateur champion Danny Lee. Mark Calcavecchia withdrew because of knee problems.