Webb Simpson is a Hot Rookie on the Pga Tour
Webb Simpson is a Hot Rookie on the Pga Tour
The PGA tour is heating up now, except for Mr. Woods, and there are some new faces out there trying to make their mark on the tour. One of those rookies is a former Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, Webb Simpson.
Simpson has started hotter than any rookie so far this season. The Wake Forest grad started with a tie for fifth at the Sony Open and followed that with a tie for ninth at the Hope. He was in the mix early at the FBR Open but fell back on the weekend. He currently stands in seventeenth place on the PGA money list, the highest ranking rookie. Simpson is a former All-American and was on the winning 2007 Walker Cup Team at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland. Simpson has made the transition from the amateur ranks to the pro game look easy with an All Around ranking of thirteenth on tour.
Links Life Golf spoke to Simpson’s college coach, Jerry Haas. Jerry has been at Wake Forest for twelve years and Simpson was one of his prized recruits. Jerry knows golf. He is a former PGA Tour player and Walker Cup veteran. His older brother, Jay has been winning on the Champions Tour for years. Jerry also coached Jay’s son and tour player, Bill Haas while he was at Wake Forest. Here is what Jerry had to say.
Links Life Golf: What kind of person is Webb?
Haas: I have told this to many people. He came here highly touted, he was a Junior All-American. He’s a better person then he is a player. It’s hard to imagine. He just kind of gets it. He is good with people, he has a good personality. He is probably the most honest player I’ve ever had…in the fact that he never had an excuse for a bad shot or a bad round.
LLG: What do you think his personal strengths are?
Haas: He is very well grounded. It comes from his family….he always takes full responsibility.
LLG: What is the best part of his game?
Haas: His short game. He chips and putts unbelievably. He did it a lot in junior golf with smoke and mirrors…he would shoot good scores but, he would squeeze everything out of it…like “How did he shoot that score”…He is one of those rare kids, as he started hitting it better he still chipped and putted like he did. Sometimes a guy will start hitting it great and then all of a sudden he doesn’t putt as well….That’s why he can shoot low scores and make a lot of birdies. Read more.
Jeff is an avid golfer and loves to write. You can see more of his articles and hear his opinions on everything golf at his website www.linkslifegolf.com
More Pga Tour Articles
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment