Paul Tesori, Webb Simpson part ways; Tesori to work for rising Tour star Cameron Young

One of the longest-running PGA Tour player-caddie relationships has ended.

Webb Simpson, who won the 2012 U.S. Open and the 2018 Players Championship with St. Augustine native Paul Tesori on his bag, announced on Twitter on Monday that he and Tesori were parting, with Tesori going to work for Cameron Young, the 2022 PGA Tour rookie of the year.

“This was an incredibly difficult decision for both of us but one that we have thoroughly considered after spending many hours in prayer, seeking counsel from mentors and having countless conversations together,” Simpson said in the statement.

More on the Tesori-Simpson partnership

Like brothers:Tesori, Simpson a faith-based match

All-Star kids:Tesori special-needs golf clinics resume with plenty of smiles at TPC Sawgrass

Making the match:St. Augustine's Tesori looping for another winner

“Our time together has been truly unforgettable — Ryder Cups, Presidents cups, a major championship, a TPC win and a career high of fourth in the OWGR. I could never had one this without Paul by my side. Not only has he been my caddie and swing coach but one of my best friends in the world.”

Tesori, who previously worked for Vijay Singh, Sean O’Hair, Chris Couch and Jerry Kelly, was with Simpson for all seven of his PGA Tour titles. Simpson hasn’t won since the RBC Heritage in 2020, the Tour’s first event after its suspension for the COVID-19 pandemic and after recording six top-10 finishes in 2020-21, he has only two since.

Ironically, one of those was a tie for seventh at last week’s Valspar Championship in Palm Harbor, their final event together.

Tesori did not immediately return a text message asking for a comment.

Tesori played for a junior college national championship team at Central Alabama, then lettered for the 1993 Florida Gators and earned his PGA Tour card in 1996. His playing career was cut short after a car accident resulted in a shoulder injury but his new career began when he was hired by Singh.

Each of the five PGA Tour players Tesori has worked for has won with him on the bag, for a total of 23 victories.

Young has 10 top-10 finishes in the last two seasons. He earned his PGA Tour card by winning two Korn Ferry Tour titles in 2021, and has rocketed to 17th in the world on the strength of a tie for third at last year’s PGA and a solo second at the British Open, behind winner Cameron Smith of Ponte Vedra Beach.

“I am happy for the great opportunity Paul has in going to work with my fellow [Wake Forest] Demon Deacon and friend Cameron Young,” Simpson went on to say in his statement.

Simpson also assisted Tesori and his wife Michelle with their series of “All-Star Kids Clinics,” sponsored by the Tesori Family Foundation for special-needs children.

“Paula, Michelle, Alexis, Isaiah and their family will always be a part of Team Simpson,” Simpson said in his social media statement. “Their family has become our family and our family has become theirs.”

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Paul Tesori, Webb Simpson split after 12 years together on the PGA Tour