Steele defends Safeway Open as PGA Tour season gets underway
What happened at the Safeway Open?
Brendan Steele’s three-under-par closing round of 69 was enough to make it back-to-back wins at the Safeway Open.
Steele, who secured his third PGA Tour title by two shots, held off late charges from Tony Finau (69) and Phil Mickelson (70) as surprise overnight leader rookie Tyler Duncan fell away carding a three-over 75.
The 34-year-old American reached the turn bogey-free but after an eagle on the 5th from Finau they found themselves tied at the top of the leaderboard heading to the back nine.
What a way to start the season!?@Brendan_Steele goes back-to-back @safewayopen! #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/2n8SQv0zUH
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 9, 2017
Finau, whose only PGA Tour victory came at the Puerto Rico Open in 2016, faltered as the pressure intensified carding a double bogey on the par 4 14th.
It was Steele’s to lose and the defending champion closed out in style smashing a whopping drive from the 18th tee over 360 yards, a wedge shot later and a three-foot tap in secured the tournament for the second year running.
"Oh my gosh, this is a MONSTER!" ??#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/deyQUHYFHR
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 9, 2017
Talking point
Sangmoon Bae made a much-anticipated return to the PGA Tour last week after a two-year absence.
The South Korean last appeared on our TV screens at the 2015 Presidents Cup before heading back to his home country for military service to serve as a rifleman.
Bae is back!
Sangmoon Bae birdied his first hole at the @SafewayOpen as he returns to the PGA TOUR. pic.twitter.com/lenw8Pyt68
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 5, 2017
Unfortunately, there was no fairytale return as Bae missed the cut in California with a 73, 75 start. Under the PGA Tour rules the 31-year-old will remain exempt for the rest of the season following his win in 2014.
Best shots of the week
John Daly made his first cut on the PGA Tour since 2015 and boy did he do it in style…
The fist pumps. ?
The smile. ?
The crowd. ????? @PGA_JohnDaly makes his first cut on the PGA TOUR since 2015. pic.twitter.com/GsLaT1G3iT— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 7, 2017
If only we could all impress our mates this much…
He gets by with a little help from his friends.#MustSeeMoments pic.twitter.com/KeQzl1Xo95
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 6, 2017
And finally, Phil just being Phil…
Saturday's #ShotOfTheDay was in a word, Philthy. pic.twitter.com/mTsndt1QSu
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 8, 2017
Worst shot of the week
Well, maybe not the worst but certainly the most painful… ouch!
This game can surprise anyone …
Even those who have seen it all like @PGA_JohnDaly.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/RigIgHgxZG
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 6, 2017
We’ve all been there, John…
Quote of the week
“Let’s just take a moment to admire the fact that I just hit a fairway…” – Phil Mickelson.
TFW you've hit 15 of 54 fairways on the week. ??#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/QU1VqEthvZ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 8, 2017
*insert crying with laughter face*
Stats of the week
This is how you get it done…
.@Brendan_Steele's recipe for success started off the tee.
Driving Distance: 327.8 (1)
Driving Accuracy: 67.86% (T3) pic.twitter.com/hkFk2yfSbY— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 9, 2017
Record-breaking week ends with Hatton defending Dunhill Links
Hey, golf fans, stop spoiling it for everyone else
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
