Webb Simpson Opens Strong at the McGladrey Classic

$68,971 is all that separates Webb Simpson from catching Luke Donald to win the 2011 PGA Tour money title.

Going off of last years results and payouts at this event, Simpson would need a T12 finish or better to accomplish that feat.

He has left himself with a fighting chance, at least after round one.

The two-time winner on tour this year, Simpson opened the McGladrey Classic with a seven-under 63 to take the early clubhouse lead at Sea Island, Georgia.

With a very solid opening round including eight birdies to only one bogey, he has set himself up nicely to make a serious run at not only the PGA Tour money title, but to many, perhaps Player of the Year honor as well.

Simpson was asked in his post round press conference if he would have stayed home is he was $2-million ahead or behind on the money list.

"Well, it's tricky because this is my first opportunity to play overseas, and especially with the Presidents Cup. I sat down with my wife and my agent and Paul and we had 15 different scenarios of what I could do."

"It's hard to tell. We were maybe planning on having three or four weeks off here now. But if I was going to play one, it was going to be this one."

Simpson has put together one heck of a year and more recently his case to be considered for Player of the Year honors.

He has played in 24 events in 2011 making the cut in all but three of those tournaments. Two wins in his past five starts, ten top-10 finishes to go along with 19 top-25's and a member of the Presidents Cup team.

Add in a second place finish in the FedEx Cup Playoffs and Simpson, with a win this week at Sea Island, could be the front runner for Player of the Year.