In 2024 the PGA Tour will revert back to a calendar-year start.
But for one last time - a 10th in total - we embark on a wraparound season that begins as usual in California.
The Fortinet Championship has been staged at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa since 2014 when Korean Sang-moon Bae won with 15-under.
Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo took the 2015 edition, fresh from winning the Korn Ferry Tour (then Web.com) Championship, but since then we’ve had six American winners.
Perhaps notably, four had strong links to California - Brendan Steele (twice a champion), Cameron Champ and Max Homa.
This year, the tournament takes place a week before the Presidents Cup and the field includes five participants for the showdown at Quail Hollow: one American, defending champion Homa, and four Internationals in the shape of Hideki Matsuyama, Cam Davis, Corey Conners and Taylor Pendrith.
Silverado is a par 72 of average length with Poa annua the dominant mix on the greens. It can get windy but breezes look moderate this year.
Angles to consider
1/ All-Around
Last year’s winner Homa was ranked 2nd in this category while four of the previous five champions were 1st. It seems to be a course where being proficient in all areas is worth more than just excelling in one.
2/ Par 4 Performance
It’s often Par 70s where we check this category but Par 4 prowess always seems to count for plenty at Silverado. Homa was 11-under on the Par 4s last year, two shots better than anyone else, and four of the previous six winners also ranked No.1 on the 10 Par 4s.
3/ California form
The first two home last year were Californians as Homa edged out Maverick McNealy. The combination of grasses, climate and playing them at this time of year seem to give the Golden State players a leg up.
Selections
The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected.
Taylor Pendrith
The Canadian was given a captain’s pick by Trevor Immelman for next week’s Presidents Cup so should be in great spirits. But he’s a good fit too. Last season on the PGA Tour, Pendrith ranked 12th in the All-Around and 25th in Par 4 Scoring. He ended last season with five top 15s in six starts, including a second place at the Rocket Mortgage, and that included tied 11th on his latest start in California (Barracuda). Tied 36th on his debut here last year, Pendrith can make a title bid.
Maverick McNealy
A local Californian, McNealy went close to winning this last year when finishing runner-up to Max Homa. He was also second in the 2021 Pebble Beach Pro-Am and his last eight starts in the Golden State show results of 9-7-33-30-2-18-MC-2. In addition, McNealy was 12th on the All-Around stats last season and 58th for Par 4 Scoring.
Andrew Putnam
Putnam is a strong performer in California. He was runner-up at the 2021 Barracuda Championship and tied sixth at Pebble Beach earlier this year after a top 15 in The American Express. He’s twice finished tied 30th in this event but he was seventh and 19th respectively after 54 holes so his final results are unflattering. The American was tied 25th for Par 4 Scoring last season and 85th on the All-Around. He ended the last campaign with a run of 11-27-5-23.
Tips 0-3; -6.00pts
1pt e.w. Taylor Pendrith at 28/1 (William Hill 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) 67th
1.25pts e.w. Maverick McNealy at 25/1 (Sky Bet 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) mc
0.75pts e.w. Andrew Putnam at 66/1 (Betfred 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) 43rd
