{"id":413397,"date":"2011-05-01T21:17:22","date_gmt":"2011-05-01T21:17:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ghanamma.net\/2011\/05\/01\/tour-report-simpson-issued-one-shot-penalty-pgatour-com\/"},"modified":"2011-05-01T21:17:22","modified_gmt":"2011-05-01T21:17:22","slug":"tour-report-simpson-issued-one-shot-penalty-pgatour-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2011\/05\/01\/tour-report-simpson-issued-one-shot-penalty-pgatour-com\/","title":{"rendered":"Tour Report: Simpson issued one-shot penalty (PGATOUR.com)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

If Webb Simpson doesn\u2019t win the Zurich Classic of New Orleans it very well could be because of what just happened on the 15th green at TPC Louisiana.<\/p>\n

With Simpson\u2019s 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\u2019s what Simpson told a rules official after calling for one before he replaced the ball and took a one-stroke penalty.<\/p>\n

As a result, Simpson and Bubba Watson are now tied for the lead with three holes to go.<\/p>\n\n

Watson now just one back<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

So much for Bubba Watson being out of this tournament.<\/p>\n

The only blemish on the long-hitting lefthander\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Simpson, meanwhile, bogeyed the 12th hole and now is going to have to fight off some nerves \u2014 something he struggled with in Tampa earlier this year \u2014 in order to win his first title.<\/p>\n\n

Watch: Watson gets wet<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n

Martin\/Getty Images<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Simpson has lead at turn<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

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\u2019s in the top 10 on TOUR when it comes to final-round scoring average.<\/p>\n

Playing well when there\u2019s no pressure and doing it when you\u2019re trying to win for the first time are two different things, but Simpson seems to be handling the latter just fine.<\/p>\n

The former Wake Forest standout just took a three-shot lead after a birdie on No. 10 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n

Watson, Simpson separate from pack<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

At one point there were about 25 players within reach of the lead of Bubba Watson and Webb Simpson.<\/p>\n

With the two approaching the turn, the two are still tied after Simpson birdied the eighth hole.<\/p>\n

K.J. Choi and George McNeill, meanwhile, both just made the turn in 3 under but they\u2019re still three shots back of Watson and Simpson.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Choi healthy and in contention<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

What\u2019s been the difference in K.J. Choi this year compared to the last couple of years? He\u2019s finally healthy after undergoing treatment that included acupuncture on the area where his lower back and hip meet.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Choi<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

As a result, Choi has found himself in contention a few times, including this week.<\/p>\n

Choi has finished in the top 10 three times this year, including twice in each of the last two weeks. He entered today\u2019s final round just two strokes off the lead.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s also won in New Orleans before, albeit at English Turn.<\/p>\n

\u201cI 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,\u201d Choi said. \u201cSo it\u2019s always going to be a special memory.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now he has a chance to add to that today.<\/p>\n\n

Spot in PLAYERS on line for Gainey<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Gainey<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

This is the final week players can earn a spot in the field by ranking in the top 30 in the FedExCup standings.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s currently projected to move up to 27th (click here for full projected standings).<\/p>\n

Others aren\u2019t so fortunate.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Those in the top 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking also qualify for THE PLAYERS, but that list appears to be set.<\/p>\n\n

Watson, Simpson pull away<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Simpson birdied the first hole, Watson the third and both eagled the par-5 second.<\/p>\n

Ironically, Watson has been less than great in final rounds this year \u2014 he ranks 129th on the PGA TOUR in final-round scoring average at 72.17. Simpson? He\u2019s 10th with an average score of 69.<\/p>\n

To follow the final group live with Shot Tracker, click here<\/a><\/em><\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

Your open thread: Zurich Classic, Rd. 4<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n\n

Simpson\u2019s scrambling paying off<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to be a mathematician to figure out why Webb Simpson has a share of the lead heading into the final round: He\u2019s made just two bogeys all week, fewest in the field.<\/p>\n

How did Simpson get to that point? Making par or better on 10 of the 12 greens he\u2019s missed this week has certainly helped. Simpson is also sneaky long \u2014 he\u2019s 18th in the field in driving distance at 296.2 yards \u2014 and of course accurate \u2014 he\u2019s fourth in the field in greens in regulation at 77.8 percent.<\/p>\n

Simpson may have a share of the lead, but he\u2019s got plenty of company with 24 players within five shots of the lead here in the final round. That\u2019s more than a third of the remaining field.<\/p>\n\n

By Brian Wacker, PGATOUR.COM Site Producer With FedExCup points leader Mark Wilson, who\u00e2\u0080\u0099s 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: \u2013 Donald, who started the week 63 points behind Wilson and \u2026\"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

More:
\nTour Report: Simpson issued one-shot penalty (PGATOUR.com)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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