Finesse trumps physique in Heritage 2nd round
Simpson leads by a stroke; Watney positive for virus
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Webb Simpson spent two days at Harbour Town watching bulked-up Bryson DeChambeau swing out of his shoes and realized his own brand of golf works just fine.
They traded birdies Friday morning in the RBC Heritage until Simpson got the last word with a 6-footer on his final hole for a 6-under 65 and a one-shot lead over DeChambeau (64) and Corey Conners (63).
DeChambeau made six birdies on his final nine holes, missing a 5-footer on No. 9.
“It’s very satisfying knowing I’m not near as long as some of these guys and I’m able to kind of use my skills of distance control and shot shape to pick me back up when I’m 40 yards or 30 yards behind these guys,” Simpson said.
“I would like to hit it further,” he said. “I set out on a journey three years ago to get stronger, hit it further, but do it a lot slower than Bryson. But he’s made it look easy and seamless.”
Simpson was at 12-under 130, and scoring remained bunched. Thunderstorms rolled through the island late in the afternoon and halted play. Matt Fitzpatrick was at 9 under with three holes to play.
Rory McIlroy made sure he was still in the game. He ran off three birdies in a fourhole stretch around the turn and finished with a 66 to make the cut with one shot to spare, though he remained seven shots behind.
The two players right behind in the world ranking, Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas, did enough to make the cut on the number. Jordan Spieth had another good finish with two birdies over his last four holes, but all that did was salvage a 70. He was six behind.
WATNEY TESTS POSITIVE: Five-time PGA Tour winner Nick Watney tested positive Friday for the coronavirus, the first player with a confirmed infection since golf resumed a full schedule last week.
Watney immediately withdrew from the RBC Heritage and must self-isolate for at least 10 days under the PGA Tour’s protocols.
He did not return a telephone call seeking comment. Watney played the opening round with Vaughn Taylor and Luke List, and a rules official notified them at the turn of the positive test.
“I was a little shocked, to be honest,” Taylor said. “Heart started racing, got a little nervous. Just hope Nick is doing well and we get through this.”
Watney missed the cut last week in the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial in Fort Worth. He traveled on his own to South Carolina, and his test upon arrival at Harbour Town was negative.
Before arriving to the course for his second round, he reported symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. Watney was tested again, and the result came back positive.