Simpson misses late friend Murray 'a ton'

Webb Simpson and Grayson Murray were born eight years apart in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina.

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When Simpson was a teenager with his sights set on a golf career, he met Murray for the first time. His swing coach told him there was a kid around eight or nine who was already "really good" and did not live far.

"I remember meeting him. He was just a classic little eight-year-old, nine-year-old golfer. Very good at the game," the 39-year-old recalled on Jan 7.

"It was kind of one of those where you encounter good young juniors, but it's rare where a guy gets better and better. So I kept watching him and staying in touch."

Their friendship lasted till both were playing professionally on the PGA Tour.