Webb Simpson Playing in PGA Tour at Arnold Palmer Invitational
3/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
March 12, 2008
Wake Forest senior Webb Simpson will compete with the best golfers in the world this weekend in his second trip to the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Simpson qualified for the PGA event after winning his second Southern Amateur title in the summer of 2007 in Pinehurst.
Former Deacon golfers Billy Andrade, Bill Haas and Len Mattiace will also participate in the tournament named after the most famous Wake golfer of all-time. Simpson played Tuesday's practice round with Haas and Mattiace.
The Raleigh native will attempt to become the third Demon Deacon product to win the Bay Hill event. Arnold Palmer won the Florida Citrus Invitational in 1971 and Bob Byman won the Bay Hill Citrus Invitational in 1979.
Simpson leads the Deacs this season with an average of 69.7 strokes per 18 holes and is currently ranked as the No. 4 amateur golfer in the world by Golfweek.
"He could win it. Who knows?" Wake Forest head coach Jerry Haas said. "Webb has played the course before and he's got a good feel for it."
Doug LaBelle and Marc Turnesa will play opposite Simpson for the first and second rounds. The trio will tee-off on the par-70, 7,239-yard course Thursday at 2:17 p.m. and Friday at 9:47 a.m.
LaBelle, a graduate of the University of New Mexico, recorded the best finish of his career in January, a 10th-place tie at the Sony Open. Turnesa, from NC State, finished 22nd at the Northern Trust Open in February.
Vijay Singh won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year and is back to defend his title in 2008.
Rounds one and two will be shown live on the Golf Channel Thursday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Live coverage will continue on NBC Saturday and Sunday from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
For continuing coverage visit www.pgatour.com.
When Simpson returns to Winston-Salem, he will face sophomore Brendan Gielow for the Wake Forest team matchplay championship. Simpson will try for his third team matchplay title in three years. Past winners include Haas ('01, '02, '03) and Kyle Reifers in '04.
