Weekly Preview: Safeway Open

Safeway Open

Silverado CC North
Napa, CA  

The PGA Tour heads to Napa Valley to kick off another season, even though the previous campaign has yet to be completed. Yup, we're starting the new season before the last one is done. Hopefully fantasy commissioners got their schedules straight months ago. If not, things could get messy. As for the new season, well, it's going to be strange, just like this past one. But the more the golfers play without spectators, the more they -- and we -- get used to it. The fact the PGA Tour made it this long without a major catastrophe is amazing. Whatever they're doing, hopefully they just keep on doing it so we can get back to a normal schedule next season...I mean, this season...the season that starts this week! 

This is still the Safeway Open and the TOUR Championship just wrapped up, which means there aren't a lot of big names in the field. Golf fans shouldn't be too disappointed, though, as this is just a bridge to last season's U.S. Open, which will be played next week. This should be a typical early-fall-season event, which means we are going to see some unexpected names near the top of the leaderboard.

LAST YEAR

Cameron Champ shot a final-round 69 on his way to a one-stroke victory over Adam Hadwin.

FAVORITES

Si Woo Kim (22-1)

Well, it appears Kim plans to play nearly every week this season as well. For the first time, however, he'll be listed as the favorite entering a PGA Tour event. Why is Kim in that spot? He's clearly the best player in the field at the moment. He is not the biggest name or the most accomplished, but he has played the best over the past few weeks. With that said, his track record here is lacking, so he's by no means a lock, which is why his odds are what they are.                       

Phil Mickelson (25-1)

Mickelson, fresh off a win on the Champions Tour, heads back to the PGA Tour to try and hang onto his spot in the big leagues for another year. There's no doubt Mickelson's game has started its final descent; and while he still might have some flashes left, he's nowhere near reliable any longer. As such, even his long odds aren't worth buying into.

THE NEXT TIER

Brendan Steele (28-1)

Steele is coming off a strong season, one in which he finished 47th in the FedExCup Standings. His track record in this event is about as good as it gets, as he won it in both 2016 and 2017, and it's not a stretch to say he's a better golfer now than he was then. If Steele's name carried more weight, he'd be favored this week; but as it is, he's merely fourth on the list.

Doc Redman (30-1)

Redman showed flashes of his upside this past season, carding seven top-25s and over $1.1 million in earnings in his rookie year. Redman looks like the real deal and should be even better in his sophomore season. Redman played here last year and missed the cut, but it was just his third start as a full-time PGA Tour member.

Jordan Spieth (33-1)

Spieth is far from being the golfer that won multiple majors, but he still has game. He missed just three cuts this past season and notched a handful of top-10s. He just had a problem closing. Perhaps a new season, coupled with a weaker field, will be what he needs to get back on track. At 33-1, as part of a field like this, he's worth a look.

LONG SHOTS

Kevin Streelman (40-1)  

Streelman caught fire for a brief period this summer, and although he cooled as the season came to a close, perhaps he still has a little in the tank. Streelman carded four top-5s this past season and nearly won on one of those occasions. He's facing a weaker field and could make another run if he's still got that feel.

Will Gordon (50-1)  

This is the time of year when young phenoms often find their first victories on the PGA Tour. Cameron Champ accomplished that here just a year ago. Gordon is supposed to be the next big thing, and although he didn't fare well down the stretch last season, he gets a clean start starting this week. If he plays well, this might be the last time you see him at 50-1 for a while.

ONE-AND-DONE LEAGUES

Highly-owned Pick: Si Woo Kim - There aren't a lot of options that stand out this week, and Kim is generally a reliable golfer, which will make him very popular. Are there better spots to use Kim? Possibly, but I doubt he'll be favored again, and I always suggest using a golfer when he's got his best chance to win.

Moderately-owned Pick: Brendan Steele - His two victories here will catch a lot of attention, and rightfully so. Steele played well for most of the previous season, and if he carries that form into a place where he's had a lot of success, that's a perfect recipe for a Top-5 -- if not better.

Lightly-owned Pick: Will Gordon - This is a bit of a shot in the dark, as he's done nothing recently to warrant a pick in this spot. Still, he's got the potential, and if he shows some game this week he will be back on everyone's radar. In other words, this might be one of your only opportunities to sneak him in under the radar.

Buyer Beware: Phil Mickelson - It might be tempting to take Mickelson coming off his win on the Champions Tour, but his recent performance on the PGA Tour left a lot to be desired, and I don't think that was an anomaly. The Safeway Open field might be "weak" by PGA Tour standards, but just about every golfer in the field will pose more of a threat to his spot on the leaderboard.

Last week: N/A

This Week: Brendan Steele - This came down to Steele or Kim, but Steele has the better track record here and Kim will probably have more value down the line. Plus, Kim plays almost every week, so there will be plenty opportunities to use him throughout the new season.

FANDUEL PICKS  

Upper Range: Si Woo Kim ($11,700)
Middle Range: Doc Redman ($10,800)
Lower Range: Harry Higgs ($8,700)

SURVIVOR LEAGUES

Last Week: N/A

This Week: Brendan Steele - He's got the experience here, and his form is good enough that if he were to miss the cut it would be a complete shock. In this format it's important to use golfers that are all-in, and considering Steele has won here twice, you can bet he'll be focused on this week's event, and not the U.S. Open just yet.