Pro Golf Now
Fansided

U.S. Open: Top 10 power rankings at Winged Foot

By Mike Randleman

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Tony Finau of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 06: Tony Finau of the United States plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club on September 06, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 11
Next
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 17: Webb Simpson of the United States poses with the trophy after his one-stroke victory at the 112th U.S. Open at The Olympic Club on June 16, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – JUNE 17: Webb Simpson of the United States poses with the trophy after his one-stroke victory at the 112th U.S. Open at The Olympic Club on June 16, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) /

Webb Simpson made the unique decision to sit out the second of three legs of the FedEx Cup Playoffs at the BMW Championship. It looked like a good move considering he was spared of the carnage at Olympia Fields and was minimally damaged in the points standings.

Unfortunately for him, the rest only did so much as he played poorly by his standards en route to T-17th after beginning in fourth.

That’s a small sample size in an otherwise spectacular stretch of golf Simpson’s had this summer.

The former Wake Forest Demon Deacon won the RBC Heritage and racked up three more top-10s, including T-6th at The Northern Trust. He also posted T-12th at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and T-37th at the PGA Championship.

The 35 year old won earlier in 2020 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and had four runner-ups in 2019.

I’m burying the lede here. Simpson’s a U.S. Open champ!

He won it on the opposite coast in 2012 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. It came on another tough golf course as he finished at 1-over for a one-shot victory.

Simpson’s played in nine U.S. Opens. He’s made eight cuts, all resulting in T-46th or better. That includes T-10th in 2018 at Shinnecock Hills and T-16th 2019 at Pebble Beach.

The North Carolinian’s made his last 12 cuts in majors, all of which ended in T-37th or higher. It’s the same type of consistency we see from him on a week to week basis on the PGA Tour.

The firmer Winged Foot plays this week, the better for Simpson who could afford to gain distance on the ground. Regardless, hitting it straight like he does is huge. Simpson was 18th in driving accuracy (67.31%) last season.

He was 32nd in SG around the green (.244) and 13th SG putting (.589).

Simpson’s not often the sexiest pick, but he’s always reliable.

Home/Golf News