Players acclimating to new PGA Tour schedule

With the PGA Tour beginning its new wraparound schedule at the Frys.com Open in Northern California this week, some players seem a bit disoriented. Others are taking advantage of what they see as an opportunity.

“If you get off to a really hot start early, makes the rest of the year a lot easier,” Jeff Overton said.

With the second round just beginning on Friday, Overton stood tied for first with Brian Harman at seven under par. Camilo Villegas, Kyle Stanley and Scott Brown were next at five under.

The tour has switched the schedule around so that its series of fall tournaments -- coming after the Tour Championship -- no longer seem like an afterthought or an extended cool-down period. Now they count for FedEx Cup points in 2014.

“Most of the time, this time of year golf is kind of optional,” Stanley said.

It will still be optional for many of the sport’s biggest names, who are expected to rest or play in exhibitions in upcoming weeks. They will rejoin the action when the tour comes back from a short hiatus early next year.

In the meantime, golfers like Overton and defending champion Jonas Blixt are looking to get a leg up in the FedEx Cup standings. Even if it does feel strange.

“So it’s kind of a weird little thing,” Overton said. “Almost like, even though it’s the same season, kind of two little seasons almost all in one.”

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