Webb Simpson, With a Record 63, Takes Over the Players Championship

Webb Simpson at the 11th tee during the second round of the Players Championship at T.P.C. Sawgrass on Friday. He had nine birdies and an eagle to take a five-shot lead into the weekend.PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Sam Simpson, a North Carolinian who died in November at 74, taught his son Webb, the fifth of his six children, many things about golf and life.

His words still ring frequently inside his son’s head. One critical lesson: Always finish strong, no matter how you’re doing.

Webb Simpson had one problem with that advice late in his second round at the Players Championship on Friday. He was 11 under par after 16 holes, on a pace to shatter the tournament’s 18-hole scoring record, a feat…