Simpson Lights up Harbour Town to win RBC Heritage

By Dave Shields

A lightning storm stopped play for more than two hours at the final round of the RBC Heritage, but when play resumed, Webb Simpson was lighting up the course on his way to his 7th career win and second this season.

Simpson was electric on the back nine with birdies on 3 of his last 4 holes and 5 of his last 7 to finish with a 7-under par 64 in the final round to finish at 22-under, one shot ahead of Abraham Ancer.

“It was a crazy day, honestly in speechless right now,” Simpson said in the post-match interview. “It was a long day on the golf course … but then the putts started going in and I was getting confident. It’s amazing to be standing here right now.”

His 22-under under was a course record. Quite a Father’s Day for the father of five.

Simpson won the Waste Management Phoenix Open earlier this year in a playoff win over Tony Finau. With the win, Simpson moves into first place in the FedEx Cup standings and 5th in the world rankings.

Simpson held a share of the lead after the second and third rounds and closed the door Sunday.

Ancer was hot on his heels, shooting a 6-under par 65 to finish at 21-under. Ancer had a birdie putt on 18 to send it to a playoff, but it came up a few feet short.

Last week’s winner at the Charles Schwab Challenge, Daniel Berger, made a late charge but just couldn’t match Simpson’s sizzling back 9. He finished at 20-under, tied with Tyrell Hatton.

Sergio Garcia and 21-year-old Joaquin Niemann carded scores of 65 to finish 19-under. Brooks Koepka also posted a 65 to finish 18-under.

The tour moves to Cromwell, Conn, this week for the Traveler’s Championship. Chez Reavie looks to defend his championship.