Brendan Steele wins back-to-back Safeway Opens
The 34-year-old finished two clear of his fellow American Tony Finau


Brendan Steele of the USA won the Safeway Open at the Silverado Resort in California for a second year running. Steele finished two shots clear of his countryman Tony Finau.
Brendan Steele fired a final round of 69 at Silverado to finish the Safeway Open on 14-under-par and win the first event of the 2017-18 PGA Tour wraparound season. Steele ended the week two shots clear of Tony Finau with Phil Mickelson and Chesson Hadley tied for third.
Steele began the final round two shots adrift of Tyler Duncan but, as the 54-hole leader stumbled, Steele held strong in testing, windy conditions. The 34-year-old birdied the 16th and 18th holes to secure his third PGA Tour victory and a defence of the title he claimed 18 months ago.
Paul Lawrie on driving in the wind:
"I'm getting pretty spoiled winning the first event of the year twice," said Steele, from South California. "This place is so great to me. I feel so comfortable here and it's been a great run."
Tony Finau had a great chance to claim his second PGA Tour victory but he came unstuck on the par-4 14th when his drive ended under a tree and he racked up a double bogey.
"I was happy the way I hung in there; I didn't hit a lot of quality shots off the tee coming in like I needed to," Finau said. "But I put myself in a situation for a possible playoff or a win. It was still pretty cool."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
3 Talking points from the Safeway Open
1 – It was a good week for title defences. After Tyrrell Hatton completed a second straight win in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Brendan Steele successfully defended the Safeway Open. This is an event that clearly brings out the best in Steele. His last top-10 on the PGA Tour was in the Players Championship back in May.
2 – Phil Mickelson continued his good run of form with a tied third finish at Silverado. He got within a shot after 16 holes but a bogey on the 17th put paid to his chances. Mickelson hasn’t won on the PGA Tour since the 2013 Open Championship. "It's just keep playing to keep giving myself chances," the 47-year-old said. "It will happen."
3 – It was a difficult final round for Tour rookie Tyler Duncan. He led through 36 and 54 holes but couldn’t handle the pressure on Sunday. He bogeyed the first three holes and could never get back into it from there. He finished with a 75 and in a tie for fifth place.
Safeway Open Silverado Resort and Spa, Napa, California October 5-8 Purse: $6,200,000 Par: 72
1 Brendan Steele (USA) 65 67 72 69 273 $1,116,000 2 Tony Finau (USA) 70 65 71 69 275 $669,600 T3 Phil Mickelson (USA) 69 69 68 70 276 $359,600 T3 Chesson Hadley (USA) 72 61 70 73 276 $359,600 T5 Graham DeLaet (Can) 69 67 69 72 277 $235,600 T5 Tyler Duncan (USA) 65 66 71 75 277 $235,600 T7 Andrew Landry (USA) 71 69 69 69 278 $199,950 T7 Bud Cauley (USA) 69 69 66 74 278 $199,950 T9 Tyrone van Aswegen (RSA) 71 67 72 69 279 $161,200 T9 Grayson Murray (USA) 70 69 71 69 279 $161,200 T9 Brandon Harkins (USA) 72 70 69 68 279 $161,200 T9 Nick Taylor (Can) 71 68 68 72 279 $161,200
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.
He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.
Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?
-
Erin Hills Green Fees: How Much It Costs To Play The 2025 US Women’s Open Venue
We look at the options for playing the Wisconsin course, and how much it costs
-
US Women’s Open Field 2025: Who’s Teeing It Up In The Erin Hills Major?
A host of the world’s best players and some of the game’s top amateurs will be teeing it up at Erin Hills for the US Women’s Open
-
Who Is Sam Stevens’ Caddie?
Sam Stevens' caddie is Will Dennis - here is what we know about him
-
Dylan Wu Facts: 10 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
Dylan Wu was introduced to golf early and nowadays is a PGA Tour mainstay – here are 10 things to know about the American
-
David Lipsky Facts: 15 Things To Know About The PGA Tour Pro
David Lipsky has built a successful career since turning professional in 2011 – here are 15 things to know about him
-
Who Is Kevin Velo's Caddie?
Bart Barnes has caddied for Kevin Velo as he has built his professional career - here's what we know about him
-
Who Is Isaiah Salinda's Caddie?
Isaiah Salinda is one of the game's rising stars, but who has he had on the bag for him?
-
Who Is Andrew Novak's Wife?
Andrew Novak has been married to wife Maddie since 2020 - here's what we know about her
-
Who Is Jacob Bridgeman's Fiancée?
Jacob Bridgeman is one of the rising stars of the PGA Tour, but who is his partner?
-
Who Is Luke Clanton's Caddie? Meet Jason Wiertel
Luke Clanton was one of the first graduates from the PGA Tour U Accelerated program and has been with his caddie since long before turning professional