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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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Phil Mickelson Safeway Open Power Rankings
JERSEY CITY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 28: Kevin Kisner (L) and Phil Mickelson of the U.S. Team celebrate on the first green after going one up during Thursday foursome matches of the Presidents Cup at Liberty National Golf Club on September 28, 2017 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Phil Mickelson will have to slow down some day, but it doesn’t look like he’s ready to do that any time soon. Sure, he had a tough year in 2017, but if you saw him this past week at Liberty National, he’s got a fire inside that most 27-year-olds would envy, much less 47-year-olds.

Of course, that isn’t to say that things haven’t changed for Phil. No tournament is below Phil, the ultimate gamer, but after going full bore for over a month, it’s still a surprise to see one of the all-time greats jumping right back in at the start of a new season.

Phil might be a San Diego guy by birth, but he’s grown fond of the Napa area lately. Maybe it doesn’t hurt that he gets a little bit of a taste of home.

"“I like the feel of the golf course,” Mickelson told the Mercury News. “It reminds me of the old Torrey South. The way the holes move, the way the greens have similar contours to them, and the length wasn’t overpowering but you had to be very precise to get it close to some of the holes.”"

Mickelson has to be feeling good coming off his Sunday singles victory over Canada’s Adam Hadwin at the Presidents Cup. After dropping the first hole of the penultimate match, Lefty quickly turned on the jets, going 4-up through ten holes, then riding out the victory by just leaning on Hadwin.

Lefty’s still got game, and he’s clearly still fighting for his first win since the 2013 Open. Mickelson should be one of the strongest contenders in Napa.

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