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PGA TOUR Power Rankings: 2017 Safeway Open

By Brandon Raper

NAPA, CA - OCTOBER 16: Phil Mickelson tees off on the second hole during the final round of the Safeway Open at the North Course of the Silverado Resort and Spa on October 16, 2016 in Napa, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
NAPA, CA - OCTOBER 16: Phil Mickelson tees off on the second hole during the final round of the Safeway Open at the North Course of the Silverado Resort and Spa on October 16, 2016 in Napa, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Sam Saunders Safeway Open Power Rankings
ATLANTIC BEACH, FL – SEPTEMBER 30: Sam Saunders hits his drive on the fourth hole during the third round of the Web.com Tour Championship held at Atlantic Beach Country Club on September 30, 2017 in Atlantic Beach, Florida. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images) /

Sam Saunders enters this week as something of a question mark at the time of this writing. He’s committed to the event, but with the Web.com Tour Championship ending delayed until Monday, it’s tough to predict what he’ll do.

In second place at Atlantic Beach Country Club at the time of this writing, he looks like all but a lock to hold his place in the Web.com Tour Top 25, earning his PGA TOUR membership for 2017-18. However, the later he plays on Monday, there’s always a chance for him to withdraw, or at least not play optimally, this Thursday all the way across the country.

Assuming that Saunders is able to get in some kind of rhythm this week, though, it’s hard to picture any scenario in which he doesn’t end up fighting for the top of the leaderboard. He knows all too well the expectations people have of his game, and it’s showing in his game this week, as he shot a 59 to open the final event of the Web.com Tour Finals.

Stats aren’t particularly favorable for Saunders in his two previous starts at Silverado, but this is more of a feel pick. He’s riding high right now, and if he can secure his Tour card this week, he could bring a completely different energy to Northern California.

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