Oct. 19, 2008

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Webb Simpson finished tied for first with Arjun Atwal at 24-under par but the former Wake Forest All-American fell on the first playoff hole at the Chattanooga Classic Sunday afternoon at the Black Creek Club.

Simpson had come into the final round three shots back of Atwal. He carded his fourth consecutive under par round of 69 on Sunday to pull even with Atwal. The players were tied with two holes to play in regulation after Atwal double-bogied No. 16. Both players pared No. 17 and birdied No. 18, forcing the playoff.

The playoff went back to the par-5 18th where Atwal made birdie and Simpson was unable to convert for his four.

Simpson was the 36-hole leader after a sensational round of 11-under 61 in the first round and an 8-under 64 in the second.

This was the second time Simpson has finished second on the Nationwide Tour this season. He also cashed a second place check at the Price Cutter Charity Championship on July 20.

Since graduating in May, Simpson has made 12 professional starts - six on the PGA Tour and six on the Nationwide Tour. He made three cuts on the PGA Tour and this was his fourth cut made on the Nationwide Tour. The second place check this weekend should be enough to lift Simpson from 86th on the money list into the top 60, which qualifies him for the Nationwide Tour Championship in three weeks.

Simpson was trying to become the third straight former Demon Deacon to win the Chattanooga Classic as Kyle Reifers fired a final round 61 to force a playoff, which he eventually won, in 2006. Last year, Ron Whittaker punched his ticket to the PGA Tour with a one-shot victory.

Reifers carded rounds of 71-68 on Thursday and Friday but missed the cut which came at an astonishing 6-under par. Reifers entered the week 49th on the Nationwide Tour money list.

Simpson and Reifers have one final tournament, the Miccosukee Championship in Miami, Fla., before heading to the Nationwide Tour Championship at the TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas on Nov. 6-9.