Webb Simpson signed up for the McGladrey Classic because it gave him a shot at winning the PGA Tour money title.
He played Thursday as though he was intent on doing just that.
Simpson matched his best score of the year in the opening round at Sea Island, Ga., making eight birdies for a 7-under 63 that gave him a share of the lead with tour rookie Zack Miller.
“There’s no way I can play this golf tournament without thinking about the money title,” Simpson said.
Simpson has won twice in his last five tournaments, and is $68,971 behind Luke Donald on the money list with two tournaments left. Donald isn’t playing this week, and he has until 5 p.m. today to decide whether to play Disney next week in the final event of the PGA Tour season.
Also at stake is the PGA Tour player of the year award, with no clear favorite. No player has more than two wins and, while Donald has only one win in the United States, he has been No. 1 in the world since May. For Donald and Simpson, the money title could go far in collecting votes.
Simpson needs to finish at least in 15th place alone to surpass Donald. But he isn’t alone in having money on his mind this week.
Miller, who hasn’t made a cut since the Viking Classic in July, has fallen to No. 146 on the money list. If he doesn’t get into the top 150, he’ll have to return to the second stage of Q-school.
But he rode a birdie-birdie-eagle stretch early in his round – the longest of those a 4-footer for eagle on No. 15 – to his low round.
The field is full of players trying to reach the top 125 on the money list to retain tour privileges for next year.
Among those is Scott McCarron, No, 163 in money, who shot a 64; Billy Horschel, No. 139, who also shot a 64; and Sweden’s Richard S. Johnson, No. 186, who shot a 65.
LPGA IN MALAYSIA
American Brittany Lang and South Korean star Na Yeon Choi shot 5-under 66s for share the first-round lead in the LPGA Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur.
64 TOPS IN PORTUGAL
South Africa’s James Kingston shot an 8-under 64 to take a one-shot lead over five players after the opening round of the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura.
Kingston made nine birdies – six on the back nine – and one bogey at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course.
TRACKING LOCAL GOLFERS on the PGA tour
THIS WEEK: The McGladrey Classic, through Sunday, Seaside Course, Sea Island, Ga.
In the field: Gig Harbor’s Kyle Stanley and OIympia’s Andres Gonzales.
Stanley’s First-round score: 1-under-par 69
Gonzales’ First-round score: 4-under 66
Position: Stanley is tied for 54th, and Gonzales is tied for 16th – trailing co-leaders Zack Miller and Webb Simpson (63).
Recap: Being at home has its benefits, but Stanley could not carry that over to the course. The former Clemson player who resides in the neighborhood did eagle the easiest hole – the par-5 16th – when he hit his 230-yard approach to the center of the green and canned a 17-foot putt. But on the par-5 seventh, his second shot missed right into palmettoes and he made a bogey after a penalty drop. … Gonzales, a PGA Tour rookie, matched his best previous opening round – at the Mayakoba Golf Classic in late February – and his eight birdies were a season high. The highlight was a run of three birdies from No. 5-7, on putts of 4, 8 and 13 feet.
Tee Times today: Stanley goes off the first tee at 4:50 a.m. PDT, and Gonzales leaves the first tee at 10:30 a.m.
Todd Milles, staff writer
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