Round 2: Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic
October 21 2011
6:39 pm
Simpson, Donald in draw after two
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Webb Simpson got the upper hand on Luke Donald Friday at the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, and the two will start the weekend tied in their duel for the PGA TOUR money title.
Simpson’s round of 69 moved him to 7 under for the tournament while Donald, the world No. 1 who was tied for the overnight lead, shot 71. The two will start the third round five strokes off the lead – and playing in the same group for the third straight day.
The two, along with Tom Pernice Jr., will tee off the first hole at the Magnolia Course on Saturday at 11:10 a.m. ET.
Donald, who was fighting a sinus infection on Friday, needs to finish in a two-way tie for second or better to have a chance to catch Simpson. The American, a two-time winner this season, owns a lead of $363,029 after losing The McGladrey Classic in a playoff on Sunday.
"Sometimes you’ve got to fight ugly and play ugly," Donald said. "It was very ugly today. It wasn’t very good at all. Obviously it’s not the hardest course in the world, but I didn’t do many things well today.
"It’s disappointing. But, again, sometimes you’re going to have rounds like that. I remember at the BMW at Wentworth there was a round that was very similar. Didn’t play very well. Kind of ground it out and kind of kept myself there or thereabouts, and hopefully I can do the same.
"I’m going to have to go pretty low on the weekend. Be nice to shoot a low one tomorrow, get in the mix, and make this one a bit fun for me and fun for everyone else."
Simpson said he’s enjoyed the pairing with Donald during the first two rounds. But he continues to try not to get too caught up in the battle.
“I think both of us are of the same mindset and trying to win the golf tournament,” Simpson said. “We want to beat not only each other but we want to beat the field. I feel that’s just natural as competitors.
“He’s got a little further to go. All it takes is a good weekend and he would be right there.”
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http://www.thegolfdebate.wordpress.com – Luke Donald: A Credit to the Game and Perfect Idol for Aspiring Sportsmen – have a look and follow me on twitter @thegolfdebate
for a no1 player DONALD has to be the biggest disapointment of the year,he’s been in position to win manny times but fails to get the job done.could be a little bit of choke happening there,interesting to see results this week. cheers.
HAO – r u serious. 22 events, only finished outside top twenty 3 times and has 3 wins amongst 17 top tens. He beat a world class field for WGC, same for his win in BMW PGA and Scotish Open. I am sure he is far from disappointed. I know he has failed to win some events when close but tell me any other player who has had anything resembling that record this year ? At least he gives himself a chance to win week after week, after week, after week etc. Biggest disappointment with that record – doubt it.
Actually Luke is no disappointment at all! He is number 1 on the European tour and Number 2 on this tour at the moment. In order to do that he has had to play quite a bit on both tours, a lot of traveling. Web Simpson only plays on this tour, and he has played more tournaments than Luke. If Luke had played another couple of games on the PGA tour, he would have won this hands down! No matter what the outcome, Luke is Player of the year in my mind.
Peace Be With You oh he
of #1 on the list of the
MONEY…to His Glory…
one shot at a time….