Golf: Obedient Simpson enjoys Colonial rule

Scott Simpson enjoyed the benefit of doing what his wife told him when he took a one-stroke lead after the two rounds of the rain-affected Southwestern Bell Colonial tournament. The former US Open champion second was among the players to complete 36 holes on Friday, and after carding a 66 and a 65 for a nine-under-par total of 131, he sat in the clubhouse at Colonial Country Club eary yesterday while the remaining players tried to catch him. Tom Lehman came closest, with a second successive 66. Simpson was due to return home to Hawaii this week, but his wife suggested he play one more event. 'She thought it would be better if I kept playing, so here I am,' Simpson said. At St Andrews yesterday, Katrina Matthew, the defending champion, returned a five-under-par 71 to take a commanding first-round lead in the St Rule Trophy. The Scottish amateur champion made six birdies and bogeyed the short fifth by three-putting.

(Photograph omitted)