May 6 briefs: Simpson stays ahead on tight leaderboard

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The cheers Webb Simpson heard Saturday at Quail Hollow were all for him.

Simpson, who lives about a mile from the course, emerged from a crowded leaderboard with a 12-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole. He finished with a 3-under 69 for a one-shot lead in the Wells Fargo Championship.

Simpson, who played the opening two rounds with crowd favorite Tiger Woods, was among seven players who had a share of the lead at some point in the third round. One of them was Rory McIlroy, who can return to No. 1 in the world this week. McIlroy was slowed by a three-putt, but had a 66 and was among those two shots behind.

Five players were tied until Simpson made his birdie, and finished with a solid par to reach 14-under 202.

Ryan Moore (68) and D.A. Points (69) were one shot behind, though nothing was settled on a steamy afternoon except for Simpson atop the leaderboard and a lot of his neighbors loving it.

Ten players were separated by four shots, with McIlroy and another 23-year-old sure to command a lot of the attention. Rickie Fowler (67), trying to win for the first time on the PGA Tour, played in the group ahead of McIlroy and they matched birdies for much of the round. Fowler was three shots back.

INSPERITY CHAMPIONSHIP: Fred Funk shot a 3-under 69 in sweltering heat for a share of the second-round lead with Tom Lehman in the Champions Tour event in The Woodlands, Texas.

LPGA BRAZIL CUP: Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum and France’s Karine Icher each 7-under 66 to share the first-round lead in the exhibition event in Rio De Janeiro.

Seau family revisiting

brain study decision

The family of Junior Seau is reconsidering its decision to allow researchers to study his brain for signs of damage caused by concussions suffered during his 20-year NFL career, a pastor for the family told Reuters.

“They have now stepped back from what they were thinking initially,” Seau family pastor Shawn Mitchell said. “Nothing is definite right now.”

Garrett Webster, the administrator and player liaison for the Brain Injury Research Institute, which studies the impact of concussions, said his group has requested the family donate the brain but hasn’t heard back.

Logano beats Busch

in Nationwide finish

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Joey Logano nipped Kyle Busch at the finish line to win the Nationwide Series race at Talladega Superspeedway to give Toyota its 200th win in NASCAR.

The race was marred by a late accident that sent Eric McClure to an Alabama hospital by helicopter, but NASCAR officials said he was awake and speaking to medical personnel.

And, after the finish, Danica Patrick intentionally wrecked Sam Hornish Jr. on the cool down lap. It was apparent retaliation for Hornish squeezing Patrick on the last lap; he said he had a flat tire, but she wasn’t buying the excuse from her former IndyCar colleague.

SPRINT CUP: Jeff Gordon grabbed the top starting spot for today’s race at Talladega Superspeedway with a lap at 191.623 mph in his Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. It was Gordon’s first pole since this race last year, and the 71st of his career — third on the all-time list. It comes at a time when Gordon is trying to jumpstart his season. He’s got just two top finishes through the first nine races, and is ranked 17th in the Sprint Cup Series standings.

Capitals edge Rangers

to deadlock series

WASHINGTON — Defenseman Mike Green’s power-play goal with 5:48 left in regulation Saturday lifted the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the top-seeded New York Rangers, tying their Eastern Conference semifinal series at two games apiece.

On the go-ahead goal, Rangers captain Ryan Callahan got knocked down along the boards and lost the puck, which went to Capitals defenseman Dennis Wideman. He slid the puck over to a wide-open Green, who sent a slap shot from the right circle past goalie Henrik Lundqvist.