Simpson's unique practice routine pays off at Tour Championship

Webb Simpson did something he's never done before ahead of this week's season-ending Tour Championship. And following his opening 4-under 66 to lie in a tie for second on day one at East Lake, the strategy will probably continue into next season

Instead of playing a practice round like he would normally do, Simpson simply just walked the course on Tuesday with his short game coach Pat Goss.

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Taking just two of his clubs - his sand and lob wedges - he walked nine holes hitting different shots around the greens.

“I feel like I’m having to bridge the gap. I can do it really well on the chipping green, but I’ve been having a hard time transitioning to the golf course, so we’ve been working on that,” said Simpson, who also sidestepped a normal practice round for another nine-hole walk with his caddie on Wednesday.

“We want to make those two a little more similar.”

Simpson’s approach may not work for every player, but after missing the Tour Championship the last two years it’s clear he’s looking to enjoy his return to the finale.

“I'm definitely way more thankful to be here than I was the four years in a row I came here [2011-14], and it's because it's hard to get here,” he said.

Kyle Stanley raced to 6-under after 18 holes, two strokes clear of Simpson, Brooks Koepka and Paul Casey and Daniel Berger, with Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Jon Rahm just three strokes back.