Webb Simpson in position for big payday
He's a man with four names.
And he's hunting for a check containing seven zeros.
Meet James Frederick Webb Simpson, the current FedExCup points leader, whose quest for the $10 million grand prize continues this week at the BMW Championship at Cog Hill.
In a season full of the unexpected on the PGA Tour, the 26-year-old Simpson leading the pack heading into the third of four playoff events might just top the list.
“I think it's a cool time for golf right now because you guys are seeing so many people in their 20s win and it seems like the better players are getting younger and younger,” Simpson said.
“The last few years watching the guys who were my age or just older win golf tournaments, it pushed me to want to get to that level and compete with those guys.
“You're sitting back and you're watching them play in the biggest tournaments that the game has to offer, and the competitor inside you wants to be in those tournaments and competing against those guys.”
And that's just where Simpson finds himself this week after taking the Deutsche Bank Championship two weeks ago, his second win over a three-week span.
Two more solid weeks and that $10 million check awarded following the Tour Championship easily could be made out in his name, er, names.
“It's after my mom's dad,” Simpson said of his elongated name. “His name is James Fred Webb. My parents, as much as they loved me, wanted to confuse me, so when I go get my license or go through an airport everybody thinks I'm a terrorist because my tickets are always booked Webb Simpson but my first name is James.
“I always said we're not going to give our kids four names, but my first born, he has four names, so it's confusing. He's James Frederick Webb Simpson.”
Got all that?
Anyway, though the congenial Simpson is loathe to admit he has thought about all those zeros potentially awaiting him and what he might do with a huge sum like that … the fact is that he has.
“A little bit,” he admitted. “You know, $10 million is a ridiculously large amount of money and an unbelievable prize.
“At the end of the day, we want to win golf tournaments, but when $10 million is at stake, you can't not think about that. Part of me is kind of happy (that) this week isn't determining who's going to win because you get one more week to focus on the golf.
“I know in Atlanta it'll be a lot more focus I'm sure on the $10 million. Still the goal remains you want to be in the top-five position going into East Lake.”
But what would you get if you did win the $10 million? A house? A car?
“More diapers?” he said with a smile. “I don't have anything in mind yet. We'll see. My wife and I will think of something fun.”
FedExCup Top 10 leaders
Here's a look at the point standings as the FedExCup moves to the third round with the Top 70 players advancing to the BMW Championship at Cog Hill in Lemont this week:
Rank, Player (Points) Money
1. Webb Simpson (4,711) $5,301,043
2. Dustin Johnson (3,814) $4,150,841
3. Matt Kuchar (3,124) $3,970,142
4. Luke Donald (2,875) $5,034,548
5. Brandt Snedeker (2,869) $3,336,895
6. Jason Day (2,357) $3,670,687
7. Nick Watney (2,291) $4,614,229
8. Steve Stricker (2,205) $3,816,785
9. Chez Reavie (2,088) $1,904,267
10. Phil Mickelson (2,040) $3,518,208
Local notables
17. Mark Wilson (1,748) $2,957,232
49. D.A. Points (1,055) $2,006,463
Did not advance to the third playoff event:
72. Kevin Streelman (770) $1,113,080