Simpson wins PLAYERS by four strokes
American golfer Webb Simpson, starting the final round with a seven-shot advantage, could afford a double bogey on his closing hole and still win the PLAYERS Championships by four shots.
His final round of one-over 73 gave him a total of 18-under 268, but it was four clear of runners-up Charl Schwartzel (67), Xander Schauffele (67) and Jimmy Walker (67). It was Simpson’s first win since 2013.
Tiger Woods (69) finished T11, while Justin Thomas, who like Woods came up from the cutline, carded 66 and finished T-11.
With World No. 1 Dustin Johnson (72) finishing T-17, Thomas also became the new World No. 1. Jordan Spieth (74) quadruple bogeyed the 18th and tumbled to T-41.
Simpson said, “It means everything to me. I feel like it’s my first win. I feel so similar to how I felt in Greensboro back in 2011. You know, to win a major championship and a few other TOUR events. I guess it’s over four years without a win, you know, I never doubted myself, but at the same time, that’s a long time.
“You know, we train hard and practice hard to try to win, and so — there’s been some tough moments along the way. But to come here against this field and put up some good numbers the first three days and do what I needed to do today to get it done, I’m so happy.”
He also gave credit to his team, including his caddie and friend, Paul, his wife, his management, trainer and all others. On how tough the final day was, he added, “It was difficult. It was harder than I thought. I would have loved to have gotten off to a little better start.
“I was 1-under through 7, feeling pretty good with 9 coming up and 11, but dropped a shot at 8, and there’s so much noise in front of us with Tiger, and you wonder what everybody is doing.”