U.S. Open conditions may rob drama from a major

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How is a 35-year-old father of five, especially one who ranks in the bottom half of the PGA TOUR in driving distance, one of the world's top 10 players? It's a valid inquiry in an era dominated by big hitters who've never changed a diaper. Webb Simpson is the outlier among today's top players, for factors ranging from the physical to familial. The other nine players in the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking have an average age of 28, seven years younger than Simpson. Only Dustin Johnson, 36, is older, and 31-year-old Rory McIlroy is the only other one in his 30s. Simpson averaged 296.2 yards off the tee last season, making him the shortest hitter among the world's top 10, as well. The other nine players were an average of 10 yards longer and only one other, Collin Morikawa, averaged less than 300. And Simpson has more kids (5) than the other nine players combined (3). After his win at last year's Waste Management Phoenix Open, Simpson cracked the top 10 in the world ranking for the first time since 2012. He has been inside it ever since. He birdied the final two holes at TPC Scottsdale to tie Tony Finau, one of the TOUR's longest hitters, before beating him with a birdie on the first extra hole. Simpson also won the second event of the TOUR's Return to Golf, the RBC Heritage. It was his first multi-win season since 2011 and led to a 12th-place finish in the FedExCup. Simpson's secret? Less is more. It turns out Rory McIlroy isn't the only player who enjoyed the book Essentialism. Simpson read it about five years ago and its teaching resonated with him. "People who make a dent in this world aren't people who are good at a lot of things, but are great at a few," Simpson said. "That's helped me be productive in what God has called me to." He used to over-extend himself in an attempt to please everyone. The book helped him narrow his focus and set priorities, both personal and professional. "Instead of being a good friend to 100 people, I want to be a great friend to 15," he said. In golf, the philosophy impacts everything from what tournaments he plays to how much he practices. Simpson has slowly pared down his schedule over the past few seasons. He focuses on courses that fit his game and tries to avoid being away from his family for more than two consecutive weeks. He played just 14 events last season, but had eight top-10s, including five top-three finishes. Playing less helps him feel excited when he arrives at an event and grateful for the opportunity, Simpson said. Only Tyrrell Hatton (11) qualified for last year's TOUR Championship in fewer starts. When Simpson is home, he practices just two or three days per week. He actually spends more time with his trainer, Cornel Driessen, than at the course. Simpson used to feel guilty about leaving the house but his wife, Dowd, has encouraged him to be "all-in where his feet are." "I get more done in three hours of golf than I used to in a day because I have a gameplan," he said. "The night before, I know what I am going to work on, for how long and how I am going to work on it. I go into it with a plan, with no distractions while I'm doing it. "And when I get home, my golf stays in the garage with my clubs." The book helped him focus on a few specific steps he could take to play his best. He knows he'll never be one of the longest hitters but he consistently ranks in the top 25 of Strokes Gained: Approach and Around-the-Green. To fortify those areas, he started working with instructor Butch Harmon and short-game coach Pat Goss in 2015. Once he found the arm-lock putting method, he returned to the game's elite. He started working with sports psychologist John Silva in 2016 and Driessen in 2017. "In 10 years, I'm never going to look back and wish I'd won this tournament or that tournament," Simpson said. "It's going to be, ‘Did I get the most out of the talent I was given?'" Simpson has made the last four TOUR Championships after missing in 2015 and '16 while struggling with the transition from the belly putter. In addition to his two wins last season, he won THE PLAYERS Championship in 2018. Last season, he was sixth in Strokes Gained: Approach, 13th in SG: Putting and 32nd in SG: Around-the-Green last season. His caddie, Paul Tesori, said he's a better all-around player than in 2011 and 2012, when he won three times, including the U.S. Open. His efficient approach to playing and practicing also has paid dividends. "When he feels like he's more present at home," Tesori said, "it gives him more joy when it is time to tee it up on TOUR." Last year's win in Phoenix would not have been possible if not for his physical and mental transformation, Simpson said. Silva, the first sports psychologist Simpson has worked with, has taught him to be patient, especially during frustrating times. Simpson was 10 off the lead after the first round at TPC Scottsdale. With eight holes remaining in his second round, he was still just one shot inside the cut line. He birdied six of his final eight holes to shoot 63, however, and followed with a 64 in the third round. "The part of my mind that has gotten better is ... just hanging in there," he said. "In the course of 72 holes, you might figure something out and find something and then you play 27 holes in (13 under)." Physical strength was key, as well. That paid off on two holes on TPC Scottsdale's front nine, where it's easy to overlook a player's performance. According to Tesori, Simpson's weight has increased from 174 pounds in 2017 to 200 today. He lost three pounds of body fat in the process. His increased strength has allowed him to summon an extra 7-8 yards off the tee when necessary and rely more on his "fairway finder" swing without leaving himself too far behind the competition. Simpson's average driving distance in 2020 was eight yards longer than the previous season, and he rose from 145th to 107th in that statistic. That allowed Simpson to hit it over a fairway bunker on TPC Scottsdale's sixth hole that he couldn't carry before, turning that hole into a birdie opportunity. He played it in 2 under par last year. In the second round, he pulled his tee shot on the eighth hole but carried a penal fairway bunker that used to catch his drives. His ball went into a further bunker with a shallower lip. He made birdie from that bunker. "A year earlier, I wouldn't have won simply because I wouldn't have been able to carry those bunkers," Simpson said. Before this week's title defense, Simpson visited Pinehurst with his wife. The American Express was on television and Simpson turned to Dowd to express the enjoyment his new approach has given him for the game. "I said, ‘I love golf more than I ever have,'” Simpson said. “I’m enjoying the challenge more than I ever have, and part of that is having a very simplistic approach to my game. Paul (Tesori) and I are very clear about what we’re working on. We’re not wavering from the process or trying this thing and that thing.” So, how is a 35-year-old father of five one of the game’s top players? Turns out it’s a simple answer.

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From catering, to early bonding, to data analysis, new International Presidents Cup captain Ernie Els is leaving no stone unturned as he looks for the secret to end U.S. dominance in the biennial team event. While there are still many months left before the International team is finalized for the Dec. 12-15 showdown at Royal Melbourne against the U.S. team, Els’ planning has long begun. Having been on the receiving end of many dominant U.S. performances at the Presidents Cup – the U.S. is 10-1-1 all time at the event – Els believes he is uniquely qualified to change the fortunes of the International team this fall. And he’s already making his presence felt – imploring prospective International team players to team up in this week’s Zurich Classic in New Orleans so he can get a feel for their play in the team environment. Of the 80 teams in New Orleans this week, 14 of them are made up of players who are both eligible for International team duty (one of those teams features Els and his assistant Trevor Immelman). There are an additional 13 players in the field who are eligible for the International team but are paired with Americans or Europeans for various reasons – like Cameron Smith, who has stayed with Jonas Blixt since they won the event in 2017. Only three of the top 13 players on the current International Presidents Cup points list (Marc Leishman, Hideki Matsuyama, Haotong Li) aren’t in New Orleans. “This event is the only one of its kind, and players that were able to play, we thought we’ll look at getting some of them paired up. It’s not exactly what’s going to be happening in December, but it’s an opportunity for the guys to get playing in this kind of format, playing foursomes and fourball in competition,â€� Els explained. “It’s also a team building week. We’re staying in the same hotel… a lot of new, new guys that haven’t really been around some of the other guys, and we want to just get them familiar with each other.â€� Familiarity has been a problem in the past. While the Australians always get on with the other Aussies and the South Africans get on with each other, there can be a cultural gap with Asian or South American nations. While the teams have always bonded by the weekend, generally they’ve already found themselves well behind on the scoreboard. There is a common line around the Presidents Cup – the U.S. Team wins the Cup but the Internationals always win the after party. If they could go back out a week later, they feel things could be different. “I don’t think there is an easy way to do it, but I think we’ve got to find a way to make that diversity our strength,â€� Immelman says. “Obviously a massive hurdle for our team has always been and will always be the fact that we’re trying to meld together so many different countries and cultures and languages. So that’s always the thing that we’ve been trying to work on.â€� Els is already micromanaging some aspects to ensure people feel comfortable. His team room catering will take in ALL cultures. While Melbourne is not known for its biltong and boerewors, you can find some if you look hard enough. For every meat pie or vegemite sandwich, it does offer decent kimchi and bulgogi, and sushi is also prevalent in parts of the city. Thai and Chinese food is scattered throughout, and with some minimal effort, you can find some poutine. If you need a burrito or some fajitas, they’ve got you covered there as well. Els will make sure everyone can stay on the diet they are accustomed to and enjoy. “There is a lot of moving parts. Culturally, religiously…â€� Els confirms. “It’s quite something when you dig into it.â€� But what of the pairings? This week, we will see Australian duo Adam Scott and Jason Day together. In the past four Presidents Cups, the pair have played just one session together for a half. This is mainly due to veteran Scott being used as a bridge to young Asian players over the years such as Ryo Ishikawa and Hideki Matsuyama. Scott was the catalyst to his pairing with Day. Els – who intends to use analytics to help create pairings – is not sold on them yet. He clearly will be if they perform in New Orleans, but Els will make the big calls if he needs to. “I think data is important. Like the modern game, I think a lot of the guys are using data. We’re going to do that,â€� Els says. “We’ll play the physical part of the game, the mental part of the game, and then the analytical side of the game, and throw that all together and see what we get, see if we can get the perfect pairing. “The mentality is I think 80 percent of the battle. If you can get the right mentality in the guys on in the team then you’re halfway there.â€� Day admitted to struggling with the mental side in the past. As a top ranked player, Day needs to produce more for his team – he needs to find a way to become a leader. Els and his teammates will tug on his ego if they can. All players would like to leave a legacy when they hang up the sticks… Day has the opportunity to become an International hero much like Ian Poulter is for Europe. One thing the U.S. dominance has provided is a chance to be part of history as an International player. A famous upset will go on the record books forever and have the stars remembered as heroes for decades to come. Australian fans will long pat Day and his teammates on the back for a win like that, perhaps more so than any major title they win. Els is also gearing up for another battle to swing some momentum towards his team. He is imploring the local Australians to create an atmosphere that is challenging for the Americans. While the U.S. team goes into a hostile environment when they hit European shores for the Ryder Cup, it has been a different story away from home in Presidents Cups. The U.S. team is so star-studded that fans in the past have been cheering for the visitors as much as the home side, given its usually the only time they’ve seen their heroes up close. Because Tiger Woods will lead the U.S. team to Melbourne, the fear remains they will be treated too well by the locals. Australia (2011) and Korea (2015) were guilty of this in the past and Els is calling on the supporters to really create something special for his team. “You want to feel like you’re going to our home turf, our Australian home turf. It’s going to be huge,â€� Els said. “We want to get the people behind their team, which is the International team. Although they’re big fans of the U.S. team, we’re going to be their home team, and we want to be regarded as that. That’ll give us a big boost, the players a big boost, when they feel they’re playing at home and not abroad.â€� The above are just some of Els’ plans. He will keep some things close to the vest and additional plans will be revealed as the team takes shape, but this week is certainly full of hints. If a few International teams are in contention down the stretch on Sunday, you won’t find a bigger smile than the one on the face of The Big Easy in The Big Easy.

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