KEY STATS
3
layers who competed in The Presidents Cup last weekend are in the field — Phil Mickelson (3-0-1), Emiliano Grillo
(0-3-0) and Adam Hadwin
(0-2-1)
7
finish by Kevin Na in the last three editions of the Safeway Open — he tied for third in 2014, finished second in 2015 and seventh in 2016.
18
Under-par score for 2016 Safeway Open winner Brendan Steele, who shot rounds of
67-71-67-65. In earning his second Tour title (he won the
2011 Valero Texas Open), Steele birdied the last three holes to claim a one-shot victory over Patton Kizzire. A year earlier in the 2015 Safeway Open, Steele took a oneshot lead into the final round but shot 76 and tied for 17th.
251
Yards Morgan Hoffman’s ball traveled on his second shot before disappearing into the hole for an albatross at the par-5 18th in last year’s first round of the Safeway Open. It was the longest hole out on the PGA Tour last season.
792
Putts made from longer than 10 feet in last year’s Safeway Open. That was the third most made in a PGA Tour event last season (not including the major championships). Eleven players made 11 or more putts longer than 10 feet, including Steele. Cody Gribble had the most with 13.
KEY GROUPS
Phil Mickelson headlines Thursday afternoon play in the 2017-18 season opener alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Webb Simpson (3:40 ET). Steele is off with Zach Johnson and Chesson Hadley (10:50 a.m.) Jonas Blixt, Grillo and 2014 Safeway champion Sangmoon Bae are grouped (3:30.). Keegan Bradley, Scott Stallings and Patrick Rodgers are together (3).
FEDEXCUP
The 12th season of the FedExCup begins Thursday in the Safeway Open at Silverado Resort and Spa North in Napa, Calif. It is the first of 45 events before the FedExCup Playoffs featuring four tournaments begins Aug. 23-26 with the Northern Trust at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, N.J.
SAFEWAY OPEN
Site: Napa, Calif. Course: Silverado Resort and Spa (North Course)
Yardage: 7,166. Par: 72.
Purse: $6.2 million
Winner’s share: $1,116,000 TV (ET): Thursday-Sunday,
5:30-8:30 p.m. (Golf Channel)