Infamous 17th drowns Simpson’s 59
Dream of historic round comes to a watery end American’s 63 still takes him clear of the field
Webb Simpson, the 2012 US Open champion, sent out a dramatic reminder of his quality in the second round of The Players Championship with a course record-equaling 63 which saw him skipping through the field on 15-under.
In 44 years of the PGA Tour’s flagship tournament that some call “the fifth major”, nobody has ever reached the halfway point in fewer shots.
Jason Day also played the first 36 holes in 129 shots on his way to victory two years ago. But as impressive a performance as Simpson’s no doubt was, everybody here at a gobsmacked Stadium Course knew it could, and should, have been so much better.
Indeed, standing on the tee-box of the notorious 17th hole, that magical number of “59” was being excitedly touted. Simpson – the 32-year-old who has played on two Ryder Cups since his major breakthrough but who has only won one more title since – had birdied the previous six holes and could seemingly not miss with the putter. Two more birdies for immortality.
Yet the terrors of the 147-yarder, with its “island” green, can invade even the most impregnable mindsets and so Simpson became stuck between clubs on the tee. After tortuous consultations with caddie Paul Tesori, Simpson finally settled on the gap wedge but the uncertainty was in evidence throughout his swing and it was clearly coming up short. There then followed a bizarre moment which drew gasps in the galleries.
Simpson’s ball crashed into the wooden panels guarding the front of the green, causing it to fly into the air. Eventually it pitched on the green and for an instant it appeared it might consent to stop. Instead it carried on over the back and into the water. The double-bogey reduced his lead from seven to five.
Looking on in the Golf Channel commentary booth, Sir Nick Faldo was as stunned as anyone. “He was so focused in his crazy zone I thought he would do it, [record a 59] but indecision and a poor swing brought him back to earth,” Faldo said.
When he tapped in for his par on the 18th, Simpson still could boast a share of history, joining the Sawgrass 63 club which also includes Fred Couples, Greg Norman and Day. It was the best score of the week by three and Simpson was not about to be morose, as he looked down the glaring gap to Charl Schwartzel, Patrick Cantlay and Danny Lee in joint-second. “It was a lot of fun,” Simpson said.
“Everything was working today. When that long putt on the 15th went in, I just started leaving. On the 17th the wind seemed to be changing about and I took the wrong club, but honestly I felt pretty good over it. I tried to smash it and pushed it.
“It did feel bad walking off the green but I just had to remind myself about all the positives. I’ll have no problem blocking out what happened on the 17th.”
It is still a commanding advantage but things can – and often do – change awfully quickly on Pete Dye’s wicked creation. In truth, this was as benign as this layout is ever likely to get. Tiger Woods shot a 71 to stand on one-under and revealed afterwards that the ball was travelling a club further than normal. “It’s so hot out there,” Woods said. “It’s really flying and the greens are actually holding.”
Day concurred and, on eight-under after a 67, the Australian could even be classed as the biggest threat to Simpson. The ominous news for his rivals is that the resurgent Australian, who won here two years ago, believes his form is sharper than last week, when he prevailed in Charlotte. Day has made no secret of his ambition to return to world No1 as soon as possible. “I’m hitting it better than at the Wells Fargo, which is nice,” Day said.
“And with a goal of trying to reach the top of the mountain, that usually motivates me to do everything I can to win tournaments.”
Ian Poulter is the leading Englishman on five-under after a 69, while Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood are both on four-under after a 72 and 71 respectively. Rory Mcilroy also visited the water on the 17th and that double-bogey meant he missed the cut.