The first event of the wrap around 2016-17 season gets underway this week in Napa, California and Tiger Woods was suppose to make his much anticipated return to golf and everyone was amped up in the Bay area, but Woods decided that his short game was not ready and withdrew on Monday, two days before the event. He commits on Friday and withdraws three days later. Confusing, but shows where Woods mindset is. Something is not right with Tiger Woods. He is afraid and until he gets over that, his game may as well stay at home because he is not ready now and may not ever be again. He has become fragile.
There are professionals playing this week that are not afraid. The headliners are Phil Mickelson +1750, Matt Kuchar +1300, Paul Casey +1100 and defending champion Emiliano Grillo +1650. The betting field is weak at the top and weak in depth, but what can you expect two weeks after the Ryder Cup and the first event of the new season. Bill Haas +3000, young guns Jon Rahm +2750 and Justin Thomas +2000, Kevin Na +2250 and Roberto Castro +4000 are also scheduled to compete. The betting field boasts 38 graduates from the Web.com Tour, including combined money leader Wesley Bryan +7000.
The Course: Silverado Country Club - North in Napa, California is the host track for the third consecutive year. The North course measures 7,203 yards and plays to a par 72. Hall of Famer Johnny Miller and two partners bought Silverado in 2010, with Miller quickly overseeing an overhaul of both courses and getting the North ready for the best players in the world. The winning score will be around 12 or 13 under-par.
Current Safeway Open Golf Odds at BookMaker Sportsbook:
Paul Casey +1100
Matt Kuchar +1300
Emiliano Grillo +1650
Phil Mickelson +1750
Justin Thomas +2000
Kevin Na +2250
Jon Rahm +2750
Bill Haas +3000
Brendan Steele +3300
Tony Finau +3750
Jason Kokrak +4500
Roberto Castro +4000
Jhonattan Vegas +4450
Bud Cauley +4999
Charley Hoffman +5050
Chris Kirk +5300
Martin Laird +5500
Scott Piercy +3550
Brian Harman +6000
Grayson Murray +6300
Hudson Swafford +6500
Patrick Rodgers +6000
Russell Henley +6600
Smylie Kaufman +6900
Webb Simpson +7000
Wesley Bryan +7000
Harris English +6800
Keegan Bradley +7450
Kevin Streelman +7500
Bryson DeChambeau +8000
Charles Howell III +8000
Daniel Summerhays +8000
Danny Lee +8050
David Hearn +9000
James Hahn +9000
Jamie Lovemark +8500
Robert Streb +9999
David Lingmerth +7650
Fabian Gomez +8550
Kyle Reifers +10000
Nick Watney +10500
Graham DeLaet +9500
Lucas Glover +9999
Retief Goosen +10000
FIELD - Any Other Player +225
ODDS ANALYSIS
It’s the first event of the year. The field isn’t that strong - it’s a perfect time to take a few long shots.
Patrick Rodgers +6000 went to college at nearby Stanford and had success here a year ago. He finished T6 and will look to get off to a hot start to the season in what could be a huge year for the young man.
Daniel Summerhays +8000 is another young player that churns out top finishes but has yet to win on the PGA Tour. Tournament director Johnny miller went to BYU and so did Summerhays. I have a feeling it’s going to be a big week for BYU.
Bryson DeChambeau +8000 earned exempt status on the PGA Tour and will immediately make an impact. Last year he was surviving on sponsor’s exemptions and now that he is exempt, he can free wheel it and let his natural talent take over. Big things for him this year.
Jon Rahm +2750 proved that he could play with the big boys a year ago by earning enough money through sponsor’s exemptions to secure a card this year. The young Spaniard has all the tools; he hits it a mile, is a great putter and has a great short game. I look for Rahm to win at least one event this year, maybe more!
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