Either way, Webb Simpson is playing golf very well these days. In fact, it could easily be said that anyone’s best golf is playing right now.
However, his name is not listened to so loudly when speaking best or when the large pools of the championship offices are delivered. It is usually reserved for the likes of Rory McIlroy or Dustin Johnson or Brooks Koepka. All the great ones, all worthy of praise. But Simpson, who is ready to pick it up at this week’s Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit, Michigan, should also be included on that list.
Consider the numbers. It sits high on the FedEx Cup points list and ranks fifth in the official world golf ranking. He leads the PGA Tour on average with scores of 68,662 and is fourth in Strokes Gained: Total, a collection of all categories of Strokes Gained.
In seven starts this season, he has recorded two wins, a second and a third, earning just over $ 4 million. And in his 38 previous tournaments, he has lost the cut only twice.
He is simply playing exceptional golf. When asked if his talent was getting enough attention, Simpson wasn’t worried about the notoriety.
“As much as I respect journalists and the media, I don’t pay much attention to it just because I feel very busy with what I’m trying to accomplish,” said Simpson, “so read a lot of articles or the buzz or what’s going on.
“If they want to give me credit, well. Otherwise, it’s also good because I have to worry about myself.”
Seeing the printed words could give the impression that he is trying to take the high road and avoid an answer. But there is not a drop of malice in his statement, no potato chips on his shoulder as there once was on Koepka when he felt briefly changed by the media.
Simpson is as humble as he arrives on the PGA Tour. He is ready to offer praise to others. He smiles a lot, remembers people’s names and listens to others when they speak. It is difficult not to love and cheer.
He is also a devoted family man with five children at home. Last week, her daughter had a sore throat and was tested for COVID-19, which came back positive. A subsequent test on her, her other four children and his wife Dowd, all turned negative. It is Simpson’s argument that the initial test was a false positive, but he withdrew from the event last week as a precaution.
A week later he returned and tries to continue his good game. He also feels confident about the state of the PGA Tour as it goes through the pandemic.
So far only eight players and two caddies have reported positive tests on over 3,000 administrated. In addition, it was not released on any of the first tournament sites.
“Last week I told the commissioner that, based on our numbers, our statistics, I told him that the safest place for anyone to be in the United States right now is the PGA Tour,” said Simpson.
While these results are impressive, he understands that the tour is still just a burst from being closed for a second time. The 34-year-old tightened things up at home, admitting that he might not have been as attentive to protocols as he should have been. There are no more visits to the courtyard or friends for training.
On the way, he did the same, sticking to his hotel and room service and wearing the mask more than in the past few weeks.
“I think kids are so aware of how easy it is to catch this disease that I think everyone else is getting tougher,” he said. “That first week at Colonial there were still punches after the round, a closer contact I think about the player’s distance or lunch. There is much less now. Now, nobody touches each other; maybe an elbow here or there. I’m definitely seeing how it is affecting everyone, not just those who have had contact with someone. “
Simpson, almost more than any other golfer, wants the tour to continue playing. With his game at such a high level, it would be a shame to have to pause it again.
