Webb Shank

While Justin Rose's remarkable 63 in chilly conditions was the story of the BMW Championship first round, anyone who watched part of the opening round telecast--that would be all ten of us--couldn't help but want to relive 65-shooter Webb Simpson's cold shank to the 18th hole.

However, unlike other sports, where such fun would be easy to find on YouTube or on official websites, only at PGATour.com would you go to read a story centered around the shank and find it accompanied by a video highlight of Simpson's spellbinding...birdie on No. 6. (Oh joy!)

Now, he made par. He did not leave a family without a father, he did not call the Commissioner a bad name and he didn't even damage BMW's precious white chalet. No, the FedExCup leader and hottest golfer on the planet cold-shanked a shot, made par and the PGA Tour treats it like he committed a fineable offense!

Now that's a shank.

Steve Elling talked to Simpson's luggage toter about how resilient his man is even in the face of a shot that would make most of us pack it in for the day.

This season, Simpson has had a trio of shanks, one apiece with the 6, 7 and 8 irons, and it obviously doesn't leave much of a hangover. After the shank on Thursday, he shot 33 on his second nine.

"I probaby shank one every other day on the range," he said, noting that his hips clear so quickly that sometimes the club lags behind at impact. "I don't get too panicked. It's a little embarrassing."

Forget the red face, it's been nothing but red numbers for the Raleigh, N.C., native, who is an astounding 52-under in his last 12 rounds. He's first in the FedEx Cup standings, which carries a $10 million bonus to be awarded next week in Atlanta.