Procore Championship 2024: Top 10 power rankings at Silverado
As Jim Harbaugh said, "Who's got it better than us?" Football is back and better than ever. Tyreek Hill is scoring touchdowns again. Tom Brady is back (in the booth). And Notre Dame already had its yearly choke job -- this time before week three. Also back -- The PGA Tour. Sports' shortest offseason (a grand total of one week) is already over. Roughly 50 miles north of San Francisco resides Silverado Resort in Napa, California, home of the 2024 Procore Championship.
The Procore Championship marks the start of the FedEx Cup Fall, which spans to the RSM Classic in mid-November.
Although many of the stars will be sidelined until The Sentry in the first week of the new year, there is much to play for in the FedEx Cup Fall. Winners get the same two-year Tour exemption that comes with a win.
The real drama lies in the battle for Tour cards: the top 125 players at the end of the fall season will retain their status for the 2025 season, while numbers 125 through 150 will retain conditional status. Players outside the top 70 will fight to stay in the number, but players in the 51 to 70 range will be playing in the fall events as well; the AON next 10 gives Nos. 51 to 60 (not already exempt through a win) access to the first two Signature Events following The Sentry.
If you are confused, don't worry -- you are not alone. The FedEx Cup Fall (introduced in 2023) will be hectic.
Two-time Procore winner Max Homa headlines one of six players competing in the upcoming Presidents Cup who will tee it up in Napa. U.S. Captain Jim Furyk and International Captain Mike Weir will be playing as well, the latter through a sponsor's exemption. Homa recently spoke on the No Laying Up podcast about the advantages of playing in Napa before an event like the Presidents Cup or Ryder Cup.
Silverado Resort (North Course) has been a yearly stop since 2007.
Designed in 1955 and redesigned in 2011, Silverado Resort is known for its extremely narrow fairways. The rough is forgiving, however, as it is short compared to typical PGA Tour-style rough. At 7,123 yards and as a par 72, the course is average in length among Tour courses.
Hitting driver aggressively and long will be the key to success this week -- five of the past seven winners ranked inside the top 15 in driving distance that week. The generosity of Silverado's rough should encourage a 'bomb and gouge' strategy this week. While long hitters have a strong track record at this venue, all different types of players have found success.
Silverado strays from the traditional Californian courses (Riviera CC, Torrey Pines, etc.), and can be compared to short and tight Tour staples like TPC Twin Cities, TPC San Antonio, and Detroit Golf Club. Its defense lies in the various tucked pin locations which will require creativity and shot-shaping.
The two most important criteria this week will be strokes gained off the tee and on approach shots. With scoring expected in the high teens, players who excel in both areas should give themselves ample birdie opportunities.
Let's see who holds the upper hand this week in Napa.