U.S. Open champion has Greenbrier lead

Associated Press

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va.

Webb Simpson likes the way he’s avoiding bogeys and figures he’ll need to play smart again at the Greenbrier Classic to get his second win in three tournaments.

The U.S. Open champion shot a 5-under 65 in the third round Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round. Simpson had his second straight bogey-free round to reach 14 under on The Greenbrier Resort’s Old White TPC Course.

Troy Kelly was second after a 62. Rookie Charlie Beljan, J.B. Holmes and Ken Duke were 11 under. Beljan had a 67, Holmes a 66, and Duke a 65.

Simpson isn’t disappointed that Tiger Woods isn’t around to challenge him. Woods missed the cut for only the ninth time in his PGA career.

“When he’s not lurking around on Saturdays and Sundays, it makes it a little easier I think for other guys,” Simpson said.

Simpson said he plans to peek at the leaderboard, “but the way I look at it is, I’ve got to go shoot under par. And if I don’t, somebody’s going to probably going to probably [play] pretty good. I think the golf course is playing in such a way that there’s plenty of birdie opportunities.

“I’ve almost got to imagine that these guys are all going to shoot 4, 5 under. I’ve got to stay aggressive.”

Simpson has been in this position before. He briefly led entering the final nine holes last year, but faded to a tie for ninth.

“I realized shortly after the round that I wanted it so bad that it kind of put more pressure on myself than the pressure I was already feeling,” he said. “So it kind of locked me up a little bit and I wasn’t able to perform like I had been all week.

“I think it’s good for me to remember that, not only [today] but every week that I just have to let it come to me.”