STEELE RETAINS PGA CROWN
STEELE, who started the day two shots off the lead of rookie Tyler Duncan, finished with a 15under total of 273 for a two-shot triumph over Tony Finau. Finau also closed with a 69 at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California. Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, seeking his first win since the 2013 British Open, was within one stroke of the lead late in the round but settled for a share of third place after a 70 for 276. He was tied with fellow American Chesson Hadley, who sined for a 73. Mickelson pulled within one shot of Steele’s lead with a birdie at the 16th. But he followed that with a bogey at 17 before a closing birdie at the par-five 18th. “I had a good time today,” Mickelson said. “It was fun to be in the mix, it was fun to have a chance. It was very difficult conditions. I enjoy that challenge. This course played totally different with the firm greens and the wind and some of the high pin placements were tough to get to.” The tournament kicked off the US PGA Tour’s 201718 season, and Steele said that he hoped the victory would again prove a springboard to a successful campaign. “It really was a good springboard for me last year.” Liverpool (7th) Jurgen Klopp’s team have made a rather erratic start to the new campaign and their heavy defeat to Manchester City prompted much handwringing, but the Reds are actually better off at this point compared to last season. Although they have been held to draws by both Watford and Burnley, Liverpool have also become tougher to beat. They have lost just once from their opening seven fixtures, whereas last season three of the above seven teams managed to beat them – Crystal Palace, Leicester and Hull (this season replaced by Newcastle). Arsenal (5th) There’s absolutely no change for Arsenal, who have picked up 13 points and scored 11 goals just as they managed in the