Webb Passing On The Next Major

Jeff Shain reports on U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson revealing today that he will skip the Open Championshp next month to stay home with his expecting wife, Dowd.

"After winning it's certainly a little bit harder to not go," Simpson told reporters at the Travelers Championship. "But in the grand scheme of life, it's a decision I know I'll always be happy I made."

At least the PGA Tour can benefit from Simpson's appearance in this week's Travelers Champinship, as Jeff Rude noted in analyzing all things Webb including Thursday's pairing with the past two major winners.

And thanks to Bill Fields for Tweeting this Tom Embrey story in the Southern Pines Pilot featuring Simpson's parents and his history with the U.S. Open, which includes working the '99 Open at Pinehurst as a standard bearer.

“I think Webb will anticipate the ’14 Open with a lot of excitement,” said his mother, Debbie Simpson. “He dearly, dearly loves Pinehurst and No. 2.”

The 26-year-old Wake Forest graduate bested the field this weekend at The Olympic Club in San Francisco to claim the 112th Open Championship.

Simpson’s final round 68 helped him to a 1-over 281 and a one stroke win over Michael Thompson and 2010 U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell. Jim Furyk, the 54-hole leader, finished in a group of golfers two shots back.

It was a thrilling, yet serene weekend for Simpson’s parents, Sam and Debbie, who own a home at Country Club of North Carolina.

“We had a great peace about it,” Sam Simpson said.

“It is the calmest we’ve ever been watching him play,” Debbie Simpson added.