Simpson shoots 61 to lead at Greenbrier
Webb Simpson shot a 9-under 61 for a one-stroke lead over Whee Kim after the first round of A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier on Thursday.
Simpson posted his careerbest score after shaking off a two-hour weather delay with six holes left in his round.
He came up short in his bid to shoot the eighth sub60 round on the PGA Tour. Needing birdies on the par-5 17th and the par-3 18th for a 59, he parred both.
“I knew a 59 was in there, but it’s all right,” Simpson said. “Great start. Scores were good though, so you’ve got to keep the pedal down.”
Kim had back-to-back bogeys on the front nine on the Old White TPC in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., and then ran off five birdies over a seven-hole stretch. The South Korean had a careerhigh 10 birdies overall.
Teenager Joaquin Niemann of Chile was another stroke back at 7-under 63 and Kelly Kraft was at 64.
Defending champion Xander Schauffele was among a large group at 4-under 66. That also includes Phil Mickelson, playing in his first tournament since the U.S. Open, when he intentionally violated golf rules by hitting a moving ball on the 13th green in the third round. He later apologized, saying his anger and frustration got the best of him.
European Tour: Defending champion Jon Rahm made back-to-back double bogeys around the turn in shooting a 2-over 74 in the opening round of the Irish Open, leaving the world No. 5 seven shots behind leader Ryan Fox.
Rahm pulled one shot back with a birdie at the par-5 4th hole but he could be battling to just make the cut today at Ballyliffin Golf Club in Donegal.
Rory McIlroy, the tournament host and ranked No. 8, shot 70 after two birdies in each of the front and back nines, and was in a good position to make a run at an event he won in 2016.
There are three qualifying places for the British Open up for grabs to the leading players in the top 10 not already exempt. The 31-year-old Fox played his way into last year’s Open courtesy of his placing at the Irish Open.
ODDS AND ENDS
NBA: Nemanja Bjelica is moving from Minnesota to Philadelphia. A person familiar with the negotiations says Bjelica has agreed to a one-year contract with the 76ers worth nearly $4.5 million. Bjelica shot 42 percent from 3-point range last season, his best clip in his three NBA years. The 30-year-old Serbian had a long career in Europe before coming to the NBA with Minnesota in 2015.
■ The Celtics signed firstround draft pick Robert Williams, a forward-center out of Texas A&M who was selected 27th overall last month.
NHL: Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber will be out for an extended period after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Weber’s recovery time is expected to be five to six months, meaning he won’t be suiting up until December at the earliest.
■ The Blue Jackets re-signed forward Boone Jenner to a four-year, $15 million contract, locking up a player who has been a stalwart presence in the team’s emergence as a playoff contender.
MLB: Melky Cabrera re-signed with the Indians, who need outfield insurance while Lonnie Chisenhall and Bradley Zimmer are injured. Cabrera, who signed a minor league deal and was assigned to Triple-A Columbus, has a .285 career batting average in 14 major league seasons.