By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
If Webb Simpson doesn’t win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans it very well could be because of what just happened on the 15th green at TPC Louisiana.
With Simpson’s ball at near tap-in distance, he walked up to it and was about to putt it out when the ball moved as he set his putter down behind the ball. At least that’s what Simpson told a rules official after calling for one before he replaced the ball and took a one-stroke penalty.
As a result, Simpson and Bubba Watson are now tied for the lead with three holes to go.
Watson now just one back
So much for Bubba Watson being out of this tournament.
The only blemish on the long-hitting lefthander’s card remains that double bogey on the ninth hole. Other than that he has three birdies and an eagle and is now suddenly just one back of Webb Simpson with five holes to play.
The latest of those birdies for Watson came on the 13th hole, where he stuck his approach shot to 3 1/2 feet and made the putt.
Simpson, meanwhile, bogeyed the 12th hole and now is going to have to fight off some nerves — something he struggled with in Tampa earlier this year — in order to win his first title.
Watch: Watson gets wet
Martin/Getty Images
The turning point of this tournament will very likely be this errant tee shot by Bubba Watson on the par-3 ninth hole. Click to watch
Simpson has lead at turn
Though Webb Simpson had never slept on a lead going into the final round of a PGA TOUR event, he does have one thing working for him: He’s in the top 10 on TOUR when it comes to final-round scoring average.
Playing well when there’s no pressure and doing it when you’re trying to win for the first time are two different things, but Simpson seems to be handling the latter just fine.
The former Wake Forest standout just took a three-shot lead after a birdie on No. 10 — his fourth of the day and second in the last three holes. Couple that with a double bogey by Bubba Watson on the par-3 ninth, where he inexplicably tugged his tee shot into the water and Simpson appears on his way to his first win.
Watson, Simpson separate from pack
At one point there were about 25 players within reach of the lead of Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson.
With the two approaching the turn, the two are still tied after Simpson birdied the eighth hole.
K.J. Choi and George McNeill, meanwhile, both just made the turn in 3 under but they’re still three shots back of Watson and Simpson.
Another stroke back from them is Jason Dufner, who is 5 under in the final round but quickly running out of holes with only four left.
Choi healthy and in contention
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
What’s been the difference in K.J. Choi this year compared to the last couple of years? He’s finally healthy after undergoing treatment that included acupuncture on the area where his lower back and hip meet.
Choi
As a result, Choi has found himself in contention a few times, including this week.
Choi has finished in the top 10 three times this year, including twice in each of the last two weeks. He entered today’s final round just two strokes off the lead.
He’s also won in New Orleans before, albeit at English Turn.
“I remember that moment when I won because New Orleans has a very special place in my heart because it was my first PGA TOUR win ever by a Korean,” Choi said. “So it’s always going to be a special memory.”
Now he has a chance to add to that today.
Spot in PLAYERS on line for Gainey
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
Tommy Gainey entered this week 30th in the FedExCup standings. A good performance in New Orleans would, among other things, get him into the field for THE PLAYERS Championship.
Gainey
This is the final week players can earn a spot in the field by ranking in the top 30 in the FedExCup standings.
At even pa through seven holes on Sunday and 10 under for the week in a tie for seventh, Gainey is more than safe at this point. He’s currently projected to move up to 27th (click here for full projected standings).
Others aren’t so fortunate.
Troy Matteson (61st entering this week) finished his week at 4 under and is well back. Keegan Bradley, who was 64th coming in, was a stroke better at 5 under. Chris Kirk, meanwhile, missed the cut.
Those in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking also qualify for THE PLAYERS, but that list appears to be set.
Watson, Simpson pull away
Three holes into the final round for Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson and neither has been able to break free of the other. Both are 3 under through their first three holes to extend the lead to three.
Simpson birdied the first hole, Watson the third and both eagled the par-5 second.
Ironically, Watson has been less than great in final rounds this year — he ranks 129th on the PGA TOUR in final-round scoring average at 72.17. Simpson? He’s 10th with an average score of 69.
To follow the final group live with Shot Tracker, click here.
Your open thread: Zurich Classic, Rd. 4
Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson share the lead entering the final round of the Zurich Classic. Watson is looking for his third career win and third in less than a year, while Simpson is trying for his first. Will one of them get it, or will it be one of the 15 players within four shots of the lead? Discuss the final round here.
Simpson’s scrambling paying off
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer
You don’t have to be a mathematician to figure out why Webb Simpson has a share of the lead heading into the final round: He’s made just two bogeys all week, fewest in the field.
How did Simpson get to that point? Making par or better on 10 of the 12 greens he’s missed this week has certainly helped. Simpson is also sneaky long — he’s 18th in the field in driving distance at 296.2 yards — and of course accurate — he’s fourth in the field in greens in regulation at 77.8 percent.
Simpson may have a share of the lead, but he’s got plenty of company with 24 players within five shots of the lead here in the final round. That’s more than a third of the remaining field.
By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer With FedExCup points leader Mark Wilson, whoâs won twice this season, not in the field this week, Bubba Watson, Luke Donald and Nick Watney all have a chance to take over the top spot. Here are the scenarios: – Donald, who started the week 63 points behind Wilson and …
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Tour Report: Simpson issued one-shot penalty (PGATOUR.com)