Pro Golf Now
Fansided

Safeway Open: Top 10 power rankings for Silverado CC

By Mike Randleman

NAPA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Brandt Snedeker plays his shot from the 18th tee during the third round of the Safeway Open at the North Course of the Silverado Resort and Spaon October 6, 2018 in Napa, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
NAPA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Brandt Snedeker plays his shot from the 18th tee during the third round of the Safeway Open at the North Course of the Silverado Resort and Spaon October 6, 2018 in Napa, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 11
Next

The Safeway Open trades its spot as the former PGA Tour season opener for a stronger field in the third week of the 2019-2020 season

It’s time to put our pinkies in the air as we head to wine country for this week’s PGA Tour stop at the Safeway Open held at Silverado Country Club in Napa, California.

This tournament is relatively new by Tour standards, beginning in 2007 as the Fry’s Electronics Open. It trimmed down to the Frys.com Open from 2008 to 2015 and has been the Safeway Open since 2016.

The tournament has also been in the Southwest, jumping from Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale to CordeValle near San Jose and since 2014 at the North course at Silverado.

The Robert Trent Jones Jr. course is a 7,166-yard par 72 that underwent a Johnny Miller redesign in 2011.

The winning score has fallen between 14- and 18-under every year here.

The parkland-style layout is lightly tree-lined and heavily bunkered. There are some spots on the course where big hitters can press the issue, but all styles have a chance to thrive here.

Silverado could play firm and fast this week as the forecast looks dry throughout. Temperatures project in the 90s for practice rounds before ceding to highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s during tournament play.

Normally a high ball flight is useful around here to get to tucked pins, but it might not be as advantageous as usual.

Greens are poa annua, a commonality in California.

One stat to watch is strokes gained approach since this is very much a second shot golf course. Proximity from the fairway is also important as it shouldn’t be too tough to find the short grass with shorter clubs off the tee.

Par-5 scoring is another one to watch. All four of them are under 600 yards and they’re opportunities for bombers to gain a leg up.

This event has traditionally drawn weak fields as it was recently just two weeks from the Tour Championship. With a month in between, a lot more top players are finding a reason to head to one of the more relaxed stops on the schedule.

This is a favorite of Phil Mickelson’s, while Adam Scott is making his debut here at age 39.

Three of the worlds top 10 are in Napa and four of the top 11.

All three found their way into my power rankings this week. Here’s a look at my 10 best bets to hoist one of the Tour’s more unique trophies, a cask of wine.

Home/Golf Power Rankings