Simpson’s 61 Leads Way At PGA’s 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 in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Simpson posted his career-best score after shaking off a two-hour weather delay with six holes left in his round. Teenager Joaquin Niemann of Chile was another stroke back at 7-under 63 and Kelly Kraft was at 64. Phil Mickelson shot 66 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. Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont. was the top Canadian at 3-under 67, while Ben Silverman of Richmond Hill, Ont., and David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., were at 2-under 68. Mackenzie Hughes of Hamilton shot a 1-under 69 and Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., was at 1-over 71.