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Bubba Watson is seeking his third win in the last 10 months.
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
We’re seeing a rare combination of power and precision in Bubba Watson right now.
It’s one thing to hit it a mile off the tee, it’s another to do that and hit 79 percent of your fairways and consequently 83 percent of your greens in regulation, which ties for best in the field this week.
Is there any wonder then that Watson takes a share of the 54-hole lead to Sunday’s final round after a 2-under 70 on Saturday?
And Watson hasn’t exactly been a one-week wonder.
He won the Farmers Insurance Open in February. He also won the Travelers Championship last June. He lost in a playoff at last year’s PGA Championship, and he was a semifinalist in this year’s World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship.
He’s also third on the PGA TOUR in total driving (distance plus accuracy) and second in greens in regulation.
Now he has a chance for his third win in a little over 10 months. A victory would also catapult him to the top of the FedExCup standings (click here for the projected FedExCup standings).
Not that Watson thinks he has any sort of advantage having been in this position before.
“There’s no advantage,” Watson said. “He wants to win. I want to win. Just because I’ve won two, luckily, I want to win my third. When I win my third, I want to win my fourth. There’s always pressure you put on yourself and then the outside pressure that everybody else seems to put on you. You have to get used to that.
“So for him not winning his first one might be a little tougher for him, but I’m just as nervous as he is.”
Controlling nerves key for Simpson
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Webb Simpson shot a 5-under 67 Saturday at TPC Louisiana.
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
At one point it looked like Webb Simpson might challenge the course record after making five birdies over his first seven holes. That’s what TPC Louisiana showed whatever teeth it has.
Simpson made nothing but pars the rest of the way, shooting a 5-under 67 to grab a share of the lead at 12 under with Bubba Watson, who just capped a 70.
“I got off to pretty good start but the way wind blows out here and the way the course was firming up I knew par was a good score,” Simpson said. “All and all a good day.”
This is the second time Simpson has been in contention this season. At the Transitions Championship he carded three straights 67s before eventually finishing second after a final-round 69.
What did the former Wake Forest standout learn from the experience?
”The No. 1 thing is I proved to myself that I can win,” Simpson said. “I was right there until the last hole.
“I’ll carry that confidence from that tournament into tomorrow.”
He’ll also try to handle his nerves better, something that was an issue in Tampa, where his pre-shot routine slowed down and took him out of his rhythm.
Having a veteran caddie should help. Paul Tesori is on Simpson’s bag and the two talked about how to handle those nerves better the next time.
This is also the first time Simpson will take a share of the lead to the final round.
“The No. 1 thing is to stay in my routine,” Simpson said. “Take the same number of practice swings, the same number of practice strokes.”
If he can, he just might get his first career win.
Watch: The Bubba show
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Bubba Watson’s been bashing his way around TPC Louisiana. Here’s a closer look at his swing.
For a look at his birdie on the 11th hole, click here.
Update: Simpson still leading — for now
We’re well into the third round and Webb Simpson is still leading, but he has company. Nine players are currently within three shots of his lead.
One of those is Matt Jones, who is 4 under through 14 holes, and overnight leader Bubba Watson, who is just 1 under through 12 holes.
The biggest moves among that group came from George McNeill, who shot 65, and Charles Howell III, who just capped a 66 to get to 10 under and in a tie with McNeill and two others.
K.J. Choi, Tommy Gainey and Steve Stricker are another stroke back from that and they all have a chance to get closer since they’re still on the golf course.
Simpson extends birdie streak
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
Make that five straight birdies now for Webb Simpson, who is 5 under through his first seven holes and leads at 12 under.
Among the highlights for the former Wake Forrest standout: A 33-footer on No. 4, a 16 1/2-footer on No. 5 and a chip-in from 21 yards on No. 6.
In case you’re wondering, the course record at TPC Louisiana is 64, which Kyle Reifers shot in the first round in 2007. To follow Simpson live with Shot Tracker click here.
Logjam at the top in New Orleans
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
So much for Bubba Watson’s lead. He now has company at 10 under in the form of Webb Simpson and John Rollins. They’re 3 and 2 under in the third round, respectively, while Watson is even par through his first three holes.
Very quietly, Simpson has put together a nice year after a little bit of a down season in 2010, which was his second on the PGA TOUR.
It’s been a total turnaround in 2011, though. In nine starts, Simpson has a half-dozen top-25s, including two top-10s, which of course includes his runner-up finish in Tampa.
Already, Simpson has made more money this year than he did in all of 2010 and he’s obviously well on his way to adding to that this week.
Rollins on the other hand has been more of a head-scratcher. Statistically, he’s been solid. On the scorecard, though, he’s just not putting up the numbers.
In 10 starts, Rollins has missed the cut five times and he has just one finish inside the top 40 — a tie for 20th in Tampa.
This week, however, Rollins missed just two fairways and eight greens in regulation through his first two rounds. And of the eight times he did miss the green, he made par or better seven times. In other words, he’s simply putting the ball in the hole better than he has all year.
McNeill goes low, moves into contention
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
After finishing 138th on the money list in 2010, George McNeill has only conditional status on the PGA TOUR this year. A big week here could go a long way toward changing that.
McNeill, who tied for fifth early this season in Puerto Rico, shot a 7-under 65 Saturday — the low round of the day so far — to move to 10 under for the week and within reach of the lead.
How good was McNeill Saturday? Over his last 12 holes, he made seven birdies. His best shot of the day? How about driving the 377-yard par-4 13th, where he two-putted from 38 feet for birdie.
Given his status, McNeill came into this week with just four starts. If he continues to play this well, he’ll certainly get a lot more.
Teater on pace for career week
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
The biggest jump in the FedExCup standings this week could come from Josh Teater, who entered the week 171st. Should he go on to win — he’s currently one shot back of leader Bubba Watson — he’d move inside the top 30.
How did Teater, who has just one finish in the top 50 this season, play his way into Saturday’s final group? Simple: Putting.
In Round 2, Teater converted eight putts of 8 feet or longer, including a career long 72-foot, 11-inch bomb on the third hole.
For the week, he’s converted nine putts from outside 10 feet — second-most in the field.
Click here to follow Teater and Watson live with Shot Tracker
Your open thread: Zurich Classic, Rd. 3
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Bubba Watson enters the weekend at 10 under and with a one-shot lead.
Bubba Watson is halfway to his second win of the season. Will he get it, or will someone else emerge on moving day at TPC Louisiana, where the wind will be blowing in the 20-mph range? Follow it live and discuss today’s round here.
Scores | Shot Tracker | Tee Times | Groups to watch
Watson’s accuracy the difference
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
We’re at the halfway point of the halfway mark of the 2011 season and Bubba Watson is looking for his second win of the season and third in less than 12 months.
At this point a year ago, Watson was 25th in the FedExCup standings. He entered this week 10th. Should he go on to win, he’d like move to No. 1.
Watson’s always been one of the longest hitters on the PGA TOUR — he currently ranks second at 308.2 yards off the tee — but now he’s dialing in his irons. Case in point: He’s also second on TOUR in greens in regulation and second in ball-striking.
Not surprisingly, Watson also leads the TOUR in par-5 scoring.
This week has just been an extension of all that. Watson of course leads the field in driving distance, but he’s also tied for first in greens hit — 86 percent compared to a field average of 60 percent — and has two eagles through the first two rounds.
Is there any wonder why he’s leading?
Original post:
Tour Report: Watson showing rare combination (PGATOUR.com)