Steele retains Safeway Open crown

SAN FRANCISCO — Brendan Steele fired a final-round 69 on Sunday to win the US PGA Tour Safeway Open for the second straight year.

Steele, who started the day two shots off the lead of rookie Tyler Duncan, finished with a 15-under 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 signed for a 73.

Duncan, who had led or shared the lead after each of the first three rounds, got off to a disastrous start with three bogeys to open his round.

He carded a 75 to share fifth with Canadian Graham DeLaet (72) on 277.

Steele, meanwhile, forged ahead with three birdies on the front nine.

One of his two bogeys came at the 14th, where he was in two bunkers and delighted to drop only one shot thanks to a seven-foot bogey putt.

Steele said the winds made the final round more challenging, not only because of their strength but because they were from a different direction than they had been all week.

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. —