Simpson’s headed for Paris

So the PLAYERS Championship (has to be capitalised, I’m told) is finally off back to where it belongs, in March, after a reasonably eventful and entertaining last hurrah in balmy May this week. Webb Simpson, whom we know to have his demons (despite all that praying) built a monstrous lead that was unassailable against any final round nerves.

The frankly obscene $2 million winner’s cheque means Webb will be at the Ryder Cup, without need for the pleading texts that convinced Tom Watson to pick him for Gleneagles.

On that occasion he memorably skied his opening tee shot and barely made the fairway, and went on to play only twice and get just half a point.

And he also shanked a tee shot during the Miracle at Medinah Sunday comeback, you’ll remember.

To be fair, Simpson has at least shown some considerable fortitude to have overcome the anchoring ban – he’s joined the ranks of the Matt Kuchar forearm-lockers – and won again after five years, in such a big event as well.

Perhaps he’s ready to become an elite player again, perhaps it’s just a good week on an over-receptive course being played at the wrong time of year.

Next year the tournament moves back to March (I still fervently hope it’ll find an apostrophe along the way and I don’t even mind if they put it in the wrong place) where the Sawgrass course plays faster, windier and trickier.

There might not be so many red figures on leaderboards but we’ll get a better test, and probably a better tournament.

Perhaps he’s ready to become an elite player again, perhaps it’s just a good week

Picture: Getty Images. Webb Simpson hits his tee-shot on the 72nd hole on his way to a comfortable win at the Players Championship.