Simpson wins Deutsche

WEBB SIMPSON finished off an amazing comeback with three clutch birdies, the final one on the second extra playoff hole yesterday in the Deutsche Bank Championship for his second win in 3 weeks.

He looked as if he would be the runner-up until knocking in a 30-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole for a 6-under 65 on the TPC Boston in Norton, Mass. That put him into a playoff when Chez Reavie, who had birdied the toughest holes on the back nine, made bogey on the easiest hole on the course at No. 18 for a 66. They finished regulation at 15-under 269.

On the 18th hole in the playoff, Simpson again looked to be out of luck when Reavie chipped to tap-in range for birdie. But Simpson rolled in a 15-foot putt to keep the playoff going, and then won with an 8-foot putt on the 17th hole.

Simpson won his first PGA Tour title 3 weeks ago at the Wyndham Championship, putting him in good shape for the FedEx Cup playoffs and the chase for a $10 million prize.

Now, he goes to No. 1 in the standings and is assured of being among the top five when the FedEx Cup concludes at the Tour Championship at the end of the month.

"I thought winning the second time would be easier," he said.

The win was filled with perks, beyond his ranking in the FedEx Cup race. Simpson locked up a spot on the Presidents Cup team in Australia, and moves to No. 14 in the world.

Tennessee hired Alabama's Dave Hart as its vice chancellor and athletic director. Hart, a former Florida State AD, has worked since August 2008 as executive director of athletics, assisting Alabama athletic director Mal Moore. Tennessee had been looking for an AD since Mike Hamilton resigned in June in the wake of an NCAA investigation.

* Jockey Carlos H. Marquez Jr. sustained a broken left collarbone from a spill at Monmouth Park.