Pairing Fun: Haas/Simpson Tee It Up At McGladrey

Of course, PGA Tour pairings are a totally random!

Rex Hoggard on today's opening round pairing of Bill Haas and Webb Simpson at the McGladrey Classic. The Wake Forest alums are friends but also the source of Tom Watson's consternation.

Watson ultimately picked Simpson to play on the 2014 Ryder Cup after a texting and early morning phone plea from Webb.

“I don’t know if we will talk about it. I don’t know that it needs to be. He earned his spot,” Haas said. “If you want to see someone get picked, I want a buddy of mine to get picked. The answer to all of this is just play better and earn a spot.”

Haas, who like Simpson attended Wake Forest, said that he learned he wouldn’t be a pick the Tuesday morning Watson made his announcement, but sources have said the captain planned to pick Haas just 12 hours earlier.

Speaking of Captain Watson, he surfaced at last night's Royals World Series win sporting all of his Royals gear.