Every takes lead, Lefty misses cut at Greenbrier

West Virginia: Matt Every shot an 8-under 62 on Friday for a one-stroke lead over five other players midway through the Greenbrier Classic. Every needed just 26 putts during his best round of the year and is at 9 under for the tournament on the Old White TPC course. He missed four putts inside 12 feet that could have made his bogey-free second round even more special.

"I played really well tee to green, finally made some putts," Every said. "I haven't made anything all year and it just finally happened today. Been waiting for it."

Every has been in this position before, leading after the first round of the 2012 Texas Open and tying for the third-round lead at the 2012 Sony Open, yet the 29-year-old is still looking for his first PGA Tour victory.

"I know I can win out here," he said.

One stroke behind him at 8 under are Russell Henley (65), Bill Lunde (66), Daniel Summerhays (67), Steven Bowditch (67) and first-round co-leader Johnson Wagner (70).

Four others are two shots back at 7 under. Ben Curtis and Greg Owen each shot a 66, Jonas Blixt had a 67 and first-round co-leader Tommy Gainey a 71.

The posh Greenbrier resort is in a small town named for its hot spring waters that the locals have touted for centuries for their healing qualities. It seems as though the Greenbrier Classic is doing wonders for some golfers, too.

Prior to this week, Wagner had gone seven straight tournaments without advancing to the third round. Other streaks that were broken this week were five straight for Lunde, four for Bowditch and three for Summerhays.

Every had missed cuts in four of his last five tournaments, and Owen and Curtis had not made the third round in three in their last four. Gainey made the cut for only the 10th time in 23 tries.

"It's coming down to the end of the year," Every said. "It's a big week for a lot of people. If you play good it can change your life."

Henley is the exception, with only one missed cut in his last four tournaments, which includes a sixth-place finish at the Memorial.

He's 16th in the FedEx Cup points standings. Every (104th) and Summerhays (123) are the only other players in the top 125 in the FedEx Cup standings who are within two shots of the lead.

The playoffs are less than two months away.

"Fortunately I'm exempt for next year due to my win at the (2012) Sony Open, but I still want to finish in that top 125 and have a chance to win the FedEx Cup," Wagner said.

Because 81 players made the cut Friday at 1 under, there will be a 54-hole cut to get to the top 70 scores, plus ties.

Phil Mickelson is already assured of getting the weekend off. He shot 68 on Friday and finished at 2 over.

It marked the first time in his career that Mickelson missed three consecutive cuts at one tournament. Mickelson blamed his lackluster showings at the Greenbrier Classic on estimating distances with his iron shots.

"They end up not just a yard or two off from where I figure, but they're 10 or 12 yards off from where I figure," he said.