Steele steals thunder at Safeway

SAN FRANCISCO: Brendan Steele rallied in windy conditions to successfully defend his title at the Safeway Open in California on Sunday and become the tournament’s first repeat winner.

Steele, who began the day two strokes back, shot a three-under 69 in the final round to reach 15-under and claim a twostroke victory over fellow American Tony Finau in the PGA Tour’s season-opener.

“(There) was a brutal wind today,” Steele told reporters after sealing the win with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes.

“Lots of holes into the wind, uncomfortable shots.”

Overnight leader Tyler Duncan, playing in just his second PGA Tour tournament, faded with bogeys on his first three holes and finished four back at 11-under after a 75.

Finau eagled the par-five lots fifth of but ultimately faded with a double bogey on the 14th.

A birdie on the final hole secured him outright second.

Phil Mickelson shot a 70 to finish in a tie for third with Chesson Hadley at 12-under.

“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 SAFEWAY OPEN FINAL SCORES (USA unless noted, par-72): 273 - Brendan Steele 65-67-72-69 275 - Tony Finau 70-65-71-69 276 - Phil Mickelson 69-69-68-70, Chesson Hadley 7261-70-73 277 - Graham DeLaet (CAN) 69-67-69-72, Tyler Duncan 65-66-71-75 278 - Andrew Landry 71-69-69-69, Bud Cauley 69-6966-74 279 - Grayson Murray 70-69-71-69, Tyrone Van Aswegen (RSA) 71-67-72-69, Brandon Harkins 72-70-69-68, Nick Taylor (CAN) 71-68-68-72 280 - Hunter Mahan 70-68-72-70, Chez Reavie 67-7072-71, Kevin Streelman 69-68-72-71, Zach Johnson 6872-69-71 281 - Scott Piercy 70-69-72-70, Brice Garnett 73-6869-71, Ollie Schniederjans 70-69-72-70, Ryan Moore 68-70-71-72, Bryson DeChambeau 73-69-67-72, Webb Simpson 69-70-70-72, Ben Martin 74-66-68-73, Bronson Burgoon 70-68-69-74, Martin Laird (SCO) 71-67-69-74, Jason Kokrak 70-69-68-74, Bill Haas 72-65-69-75