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Safeway Open: Power ranking the top 10 golfers at Silverado

By Mike Randleman

NAPA, CA - OCTOBER 06: A general view of the 11th hole during the second round of the Safeway Open at the North Course of the Silverado Resort and Spa on October 6, 2017 in Napa, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
NAPA, CA - OCTOBER 06: A general view of the 11th hole during the second round of the Safeway Open at the North Course of the Silverado Resort and Spa on October 6, 2017 in Napa, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
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Safeway Open Power Rankings 2018
Safeway Open 2018: Power Ranking the top ten golfers at Silverado. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /

After the high-strung theatrics  of the Ryder Cup, the golf world’s eyes switch to wine country as the Safeway Open heads to Napa Valley.

It felt like this day would never come. At long, long last, the 2018-19 PGA Tour season is set to begin! It’ll be a whole 11 days since Justin Rose claimed the FedEx Cup title when the first shot is struck Thursday at the Safeway Open.

We move from the raucous intensity of the Ryder Cup to the serene climes of wine country in Napa, California.

Silverado Resort and Spa is in its fifth year in a row as host site. Its North course is a par 72 measuring 7,166 yards and features bentgrass and poa annua greens.

It’s a Robert Trent Jones Jr. course that underwent a Johnny Miller redesign in 2011.

Winning score has been 15-under three times and 18-under the other. The course is lightly tree-lined with a lot of bunkers. Distance pays off in some areas of the course, but most types of players can play well here and irons off the tee are acceptable.

Early weather forecasts call for some rain early in the week before drying out to 70s and light to moderate wind on tournament days.

The field is annually far from star studded and is not aided by its position on the schedule a week after a Ryder Cup in Europe.

Only one Ryder Cup player is in the field (more on him later) and other international stars are absent.

For the golf junkies out there, this is a fun week to get a first glimpse at the Web.com Tour graduates. Those who got hot at Web finals can parlay good form into big checks right away.

They won’t crack my top ten, but Web.com Tour regular season money earner, 20-year-old Sungjae Im is legit. Cameron Champ is going to be a Tour winner someday, too.

Without further ado, here are ten players who could raise a celebratory glass Sunday in Napa.

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