US Open champion Webb Simpson returns to a "perfect" venue where he enjoyed "the most important week" of his career for his title defence at the Wyndham Championship in Greensboro.
Twelve months ago, Simpson clinched his maiden victory on the PGA Tour by three shots, after two near-misses earlier in the season, and he is excited to be back In North Carolina as the title holder.
"I was looking forward to this week ever since last year winning here," Simpson, who lives in nearby Raleigh, North Carolina, told reporters ahead of Thursday's opening round.
"All my memories here are just awesome.
"To break through, have my first victory here an hour-and-a-half from where I grew up and an hour-and-a-half from where I live now... it was a perfect place to break through and win."
Simpson was especially delighted to finally silence all the questions over his ability to triumph on the US circuit.
"The number of times I put myself in position to win and didn't get it done, I took the positives from those experiences and learned from them.
"I was playing really well coming in this week last year and I didn't expect to win but I felt confident that I could win. I don't think I would have won Boston or the US Open had I not won here."
Simpson's breakthrough catapulted him into the spotlight as he went on to win his second title at the Deutsche Bank Championship just two starts later.
He ended his 2011 campaign second in the FedExCup standings and the money list.
He then trumped all of that when he clinched his first major title by one shot at the US Open in June after overhauling overnight leaders Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell in the final round.
