Another close call for Simpson at RSM

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. – Webb Simpson took a two-shot lead into the final nine of The RSM Classic and shot 34 but he left Sea Island with another near-miss.

Simpson birdied 16 and 17 to get into a playoff with Tyler Duncan, but Duncan won on the second extra hole. Simpson also lost a playoff here to Ben Crane in 2011 and finished third in this event last year.

Simpson drove left on the second extra hole Sunday and hit his approach into a bunker. He never hit the par putt, though, as Duncan holed a 13-foot birdie putt to win. Duncan birdied the final two holes of regulation to shoot a final-round 65 that matched the low round of the day.

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“I felt like it was going to go my way, but that's what great players do, they birdie the last two holes like he did,” Simpson said. “(It was) tough to finish that way, but all in all, a great week.”

Simpson made just two starts this fall but is 19th in the FedExCup after finishing seventh in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and runner-up this week.

This was his fourth runner-up in his last 10 starts. He’s finished no worse than 30th in his past 14 starts. He was seeking his first win since last year’s PLAYERS Championship.

Simpson ranked third in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green this week.

“My game is continuing to build and go in the right direction,” said Simpson, a member of this year’s U.S. Presidents Cup team.