McGladrey Classic Update: Webb Simpson Is the Early Clubhouse Leader

Webb Simpson is the early clubhouse leader at the McGladrey Classic after shooting a seven-under 63 in Thursday's first-round action.

Simpson is also looking to win the PGA Tour money title. He trails the World No. 1 player, Luke Donald, by $68,971, but right now is projected to move to first place. A win here could lock up the Player of the Year Award for him as well.

Simpson started the day on the back nine from the 10th hole, in a group with Matt Kuchar and Robert Allenby. Kuchar and Allenby both shot even-par 70.

On his first hole, the par-four 10th, Simpson hit a beautiful approach second shot to within seven feet of the hole, sinking his first putt for a birdie.

He then proceeded to have three birdies in a row starting at the 14th hole. On 14th, after driving into the rough, his approach second shot was to just over four feet from the hole, and from there he made the birdie putt.

On the par-five 15th, he reached the green in two, leaving the ball just outside 22 feet. He missed the eagle-putt attempt, leaving the ball about five feet from the hole,  and making the putt.

Then on the next hole, the par-four 16th, Simpson once again hit a great approach second shot, leaving the ball about 14 feet from the hole, and once again made the birdie putt.

Simpson's lone bogey of the round was before exiting his front nine, on the par-four 18th hole. This time his approach shot was short of the green. He then chipped in to within eight feet, but was not able to make the par putt. He made the turn at three-under.

Simpson made four birdies on his back nine, with birdies on the second, fourth, seventh and eight holes. He hit eight of 14 fairways, and 14 of 18 greens in regulation.

Following Simpson, tied for second-place at six-under are Scott McCarron and Billy Horschel, and tied for fourth place at five-under are Richard Johnson, Ben Crane, Nick O'Hern and former US Open and Masters winner, Angel Cabrera.

Notables in the field that were under par are: Jim Furyk, Louis Oosthuizen and Justin Leonard (three-under); Davis Love III; Trevor Immelman; Lucas Glover; and Graeme McDowell, who made an eagle on the fifth hole after a bogey on the third and a double-bogey on the fourth.

- Carlos Torres