Gove finally has something to build on

With a Friday 66, Jeff Gove accomplished something he had only done once since April on the Web.com Tour - make a cut. For the player who has played nothing but consistent golf on the minor-league circuit for over a decade, the play was surprising, even shocking.

The 66 - capped off by birdies on two of his last four holes - allowed Gove to make the cut on the number. At that point, at least he knew he would be cashing a check for his week's efforts in Omaha, although a high finish was likely out of the question. Especially after a third-round 70 left him outside the top 50 on the leaderboard.

So all Gove did from there was come out firing on Sunday, making 6 birdies and an eagle en route to a closing 8-under 63. Although the Champions Run course yielded plenty of low scores this week - making the 63 not quite as impressive as it may seem - the effort nonetheless moved Gove into the top 20, for a final finish of T18.

It was Gove's first top-20 of the season, and only his second top-25 of 2012. For a guy who has 99 top-25's in 303 career Web.com starts - almost a 33% rate - the season has been uncharacteristic no matter which way you look at it.

Gove could have packed it in and shot a middling final round, to finish around 50th and move on with the solace that he finally made the cut. But he didn't settle. The veteran took advantage of conditions conducive to low scoring, and went about his business making birdies in a 25-putt effort.

So Now Gove heads to Springfield for the Price Cutter Charity Championship, where temperatures are expected to soar, and humidity is expected in abundance. Another made cut would be nice, and another top-25 could provide a legitimate spark for the rest of the season.

Highland Springs CC is another course conducive to low scoring, with a winning score of 26-under last year - with a cut line of 5-under par. Going low is necessary to succeed at Highland Springs.

We'll see what Gove can do.