Jim Furyk is the top-ranked golfer at this week’s Greenbrier Classic and he can rise to No. 1 in points with a victory this week. Fresh off a 5-under round in Wednesday’s pro-am, he’s upped his status as one many figure to see win.

And many will want to see Furyk to win, too, because if he likes WVU — and he does — you can rest assured the WVU folk will like him.

Furyk said he was surprised by the amount of Mountaineers he has encountered.

“I’m shocked at how many blue and gold shirts with WV written on them I’ve seen,” Furyk said. “They’re like three hours away. It is amazing.

“I’ve signed one Virginia Tech hat all week, so the Mountie fans definitely have them outnumbered. And I hear they’re closer. Virginia Tech is what, two hours away?

“It’s amazing. There’s a lot of blue and gold out there. I’m surprised, because it’s clear on the other side of the state.”

True story:  I was at the Fishbowl before the Louisville game in 2007 — Diet Coke, honest — with my dad and his friend Chip. Chip happens to be a very good golfer and knows a lot of the faces a lesser fan might not recognize. He kept looking and squinting in one direction until we asked what had his attention. Chip thought he saw Jim Furyk in a corner surrounded by a number of people.

He was right. Furyk took all kinds of pictures with people, signed what seemed like every autograph request and even sang a Country Roads with his friends. I figured I’d see him later, either up in the press box or down on the sideline with a special VIP pass.

Well, I did see him later … in the stands among the people.