Watson, Simpson tied for Zurich lead

Associated Press

AVONDALE, La.

Bubba Watson was asked if his experience was an edge over co-leader Webb Simpson entering the final round of the Zurich Classic.

“There’s no advantage. He wants to win. I want to win,” said Watson, a two-time PGA Tour champion but winless in the previous three events he has had at least a share of the third-round lead. “There’s always pressure you put on yourself and then the outside pressure that everybody else seems to put on you. You have to get used to that.

“So for him not winning his first one might be a little tougher for him, but I’m just as nervous as he is. I might have a half a percentage better chance than he does.”

Watson made a 4-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole for a 2-under 70 and a share of lead.

Simpson, seeking his first tour title, birdied Nos. 3-7, then closed with 11 pars for a 67 to match Watson at 12-under 204 at TPC Louisiana.

Watson needed to birdie the 588-yard 18th to get into the final group Sunday.

“Knowing that if I stroke this well, I’m tied for the lead and not one back, knowing I’m in the final group,” said Watson, the Torrey Pines winner in January. “There was a lot of pressure on that for me. Somehow it went in dead center, and so I’m in the final group.”