U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2021

June 15, 2021

Webb Simpson

Torrey Pines Golf Course

Flash Interview

THE MODERATOR: Welcome back, everyone. We are joined by 2012 U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson. Webb, I know you just got off the course. Talk about how it's playing.

WEBB SIMPSON: Golf course is great. I was excited to get here and see -- I kind of had an idea what I thought it might be like, but it's about what I figured. The golf course is in really good shape. It's firming out already from yesterday to today.

I remember watching in the '08 Open and it getting a little bit Brown and crispy. That's what I think most of us want. All in all, very difficult, very challenging, but a great, typical U.S. Open setup.

THE MODERATOR: What does set U.S. Open week apart?

WEBB SIMPSON: I think everyone knows it as probably the hardest golf tournament of the year, the conditions, it being a major, them stressing out the course to the point of where it's still playable, and we all know that coming in and know that it's going to be very hard. I told my wife yesterday after nine holes, I'm like -- I sometimes forget how hard U.S. Open setups are on these typical courses.

But I love it for a week. I don't think I would like it 20 times a year, but it's really fun for a week. You feel like it's kind of survival every day. It's fun for a change.

Q. Just a little while ago, Brooks was up here, and obviously got asked about the Bryson stuff. We talked to Jordan a little bit too. What's the perception of players in this kind of little feud that's going on on the side? It's drawing a ton of attention.

WEBB SIMPSON: I don't look too much into it. I think they're competitors, and I think the media doesn't see the competitiveness come out in us as much as maybe you guys need to. We all want to beat each other every week of the year. Except the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, we want to beat each other. I think they're just living it out a little more in their words than maybe keep it inside.

I think it's fun. I think they've got a rivalry now, and I think it's good for the game in the sense of rivals. I think they're used to be more rivals that became well-known. We don't have that as much anymore. So I think them kind of being open and honest is good in a way because we know kind of what they think. I don't know how much of them -- I don't know if they texted each other on the side and possibly went in agreement, let's play this thing up for player impact program. That was kind of one of my thoughts.

It would be fun to see them duel is out in a tournament here coming up, head to head on Sunday.

Q. There was some discussion about whether the USGA would pair them up in these early rounds. What do you think the outcome of that would have been in terms of tension, I guess?

WEBB SIMPSON: I think the USGA, like any other tournament, they want the focus to be on the championship on the golf course, and I think maybe that would have brought too much attention to two players that already get a lot of attention. So I think it's probably a good thing that they didn't, to keep the attention on this amazing golf tournament that it is.

Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of playing a major championship on a venue that you guys play regularly at a regular TOUR stop?

WEBB SIMPSON: There's so many things about this golf course that we already know because we've been here. That saves us a lot of time, energy, and effort in the practice rounds. You have an understanding of where the pins are going to be probably, most likely, maybe a little harder this week, but in general areas. And it's just, I guess, less prep work overall.

That's how I feel when I go to Augusta every year. I've been there enough to know kind of what to expect. You play this golf course enough in a tournament setting to see it firm, wet, colder, warmer, and so you've kind of got that experience brought in. I personally don't -- I haven't been here in a while, but I've at least played three times in the tournament to know enough to feel comfortable here.

Q. What do you feel like Mike Davis' legacy will be when he's done with his time here at the USGA?

WEBB SIMPSON: I think his legacy will be kind of an outside the box thinker that we've always seen U.S. Open setups be very similar each year where he, to my knowledge, was the first to start thinking about graduated rough or different U.S. Open venues than the typical venue, and I think he's done a lot of good for this championship in that way. So I think he'll leave a great legacy.

Q. When you hear Bubba talk about Pensacola and what he does there, what do you think is the most satisfying to him about his involvement there?

WEBB SIMPSON: I think it's nice to live in a place, after you've done something like Bubba's done, where you grew up but now you're giving back to the community in many different ways. So I think for Bubba it probably feels really good for him that he can impact that community more than just being Bubba Watson but actually taking care of the community in various ways, and not just being involved financially or with his name, but his presence going to baseball games, having his ice cream shop, having his car dealership. All these things that he's doing is great for the town.

Q. Here's a unique mind showing how he plays golf, what he does. Knowing about that, what makes personally being involved with him in business appealing?

WEBB SIMPSON: I think a lot of people don't know how smart and creative he really is away from golf. You see his creativity come out on the golf course, but being a good friend with him for a while, I've seen just his attention and how he's always thinking about the future, thinking about his family, thinking about Pensacola. I've learned a lot from him, kind of how he's set up maybe his post-golf life.