Simpson Soars at Wells Fargo Championship


Local favorite Webb Simpson recorded his second straight 5-under 67 to rise into a share of the lead at the Wells Fargo Championship. The $7.1 million PGA Tour event teed off Thursday at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.

Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open champion at The Olympic Club in San Francisco and a resident of Charlotte, carded seven birdies and two bogeys to reach 10-under 134, tying 18-hole leader Robert Streb. Streb, whose only victory came in last year's McGladrey Classic, began with a 65 and shot 69 Friday.

"It was a fun round," Simpson said during a brief TV interview. "Had a couple of chip-ins. To shoot 5-under was a great follow-up." As for what it's like playing in his hometown, the 29-year-old Wake Forest grad added, "A lot of friends and family here, so it's a lot of fun."

Streb, who began Friday a stroke clear of Patrick Reed and Kevin Chappell, managed four birdies and a bogey to stay atop the leaderboard. "A few errant shots here and there," the 28-year-old Oklahoman said at greenside. "Missed a few opportunities. Played pretty good in the middle of the round and managed to get home."

Two strokes back are Martin Flores and Patrick Rodgers, who shot 67 and 68, respectively. Playing on a sponsor's exemption, Rodgers, who turned pro after a stellar 11-win career at Stanford, believes he's ready for success on the bigger stage.

"I won a lot in college and I'm comfortable at the top of the leaderboard," the 22-year-old from Indiana told PGATour.com. "I have full confidence I'm capable of not only playing really well but winning out here. I just try to carry myself with that confidence and hopefully this weekend I can do the same."

No. 1-ranked Rory McIlroy rose up into a tie for fifth at 137 thanks to a five-birdie 67. Also at 7-under are Will MacKenzie (68) and Phil Mickelson, who carded Friday's low round of 66.

"I really found a good groove with the driver," McIlroy told reporters after his round. "My iron play wasn't as sharp as it could have been, but a good score puts me right up there for the weekend. Mentally I feel very sharp. I'm not putting myself under that much stress of having to save pars or anything."

The four-time major champion secured his first PGA Tour title in 2010 at what was then called the Quail Hollow Championship. McIlroy noted he's evolved considerably as a player since then.

"Everything has changed," the 26-year-old Northern Irishman said. "I feel I'm a much better player. My stature is much higher. When I'm on the leaderboard, it carries a bit more weight. I'm much better prepared and equipped to be in contention week-in and week-out, more grounded and mentally much better as well."

Tied for eighth at 138 are Scotland's Russell Knox (69), Australian Geoff Ogilvy (69) and Americans Michael Thompson (71), George McNeill (69) and Brendan Steele (69).

After starting with 66s, Chappell and Reed both struggled Friday. The 28-year-old Chappell carded a 73 to drop into a tie for 13th at 139 with Scott Gutschewski, Matt Jones, Scott Brown, Shawn Stefani and Daniel Berger. Reed posted a 74 and is now in a big group at 140.

The weekend cut was set at even-par 144. Among the notables heading home is defending champion J.B. Holmes. After opening with a promising 69, the 33-year-old Kentuckian skied to a 76 to miss out on the weekend by a stroke.

The shot of the day was by Colt Knost, who aced the water-guarded, 227-yard par-3 17th with a 3-iron. The 29-year-old, the U.S. Amateur champion in 2007, carded a 68 to make the cut by a shot.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.