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GREENSBORO — Webb Simpson believes the wins will come. And who knows? The first could come here.

Simpson, 25, is from Raleigh and he has family all over the state, including Greensboro. They'll come to Sedgefield Country Club starting today to watch him play in the Wyndham Championship for the third year in a row.

He missed the cut the first year, then finished tied for eighth last year. His scoring average at Sedgefield is 67.83.

The gradual improvement fits the road map of his golf life, Simpson said Wednesday.

"People said I was the best coming out of high school," Simpson said. "I get to college and it takes me until my second semester of my junior year to win. And I won a few more times."

And how. The All-America from Wake Forest won an ACC championship as a senior in 2008 before turning pro.

"I'm seeing that pattern out here on tour now," Simpson said.

In his third full season on the PGA Tour, Simpson is on the verge of winning. He has a pair of second-place finishes this year, including a playoff loss in New Orleans.

"I know (winning) will make me more comfortable, just knowing I can get it done," Simpson said.

" ... Every time I've had a chance to win this year and I haven't, I look back and I learned something. It's only going to make me better."

The near-misses this year have helped Simpson in the FedEx Cup standings. He starts today No. 12 in the chase for playoff glory.

"I'm in a position where I can make a nice run at the playoffs and try to win," Simpson said. "I can definitely help myself with a good week. &ellipses; It's all about the FedEx Cup playoffs."

And maybe, just maybe, a breakthrough first victory.

Contact Jeff Mills at 373-7024 or jeff.mills@news-record.com