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NAPA, Calif. – Brandt Snedeker scored a birdie in the last two holes for a score of under 65 and a three-shot lead over Phil Mickelson and two others on Friday at the opening of the Safeway Open circuit.
Playing alongside Hall of Fame member, Fred Couples, Snedeker made eight birdies and a boguey on the Silverado Resort and Spa's northern course. The leader won the Wyndham Championship in August. He opened the scoring with 59 en route to his ninth title on the PGA Tour.
"I really played solid golf," Snedeker said. "I've only played two bad shots all day, my speed has been great for two days, this green can slip if you're not careful."
Snedeker had a total of 131 out of 131.
Mickelson followed his opening in 65 with a 69 to join Michael Thompson (65) and Ryan Moore (67) at 10 under.
"I'm cautiously optimistic," said Mickelson. "There is no doubt that we are no longer pessimistic because I did not think I was going to be here on the weekend and the next thing you know is that I'm leading the rankings . "
A week after his 0-2 win in the Ryder Cup defeat to Europe in France with the Ryder Cup, Mickelson, 48, played three of his first eight holes and scored four birdies at from his second nine.
"I shot 4 cents to save the round," said Mickelson. "I'm surprised, I get a lot of good shots, I did not expect it, what I do well is put, as if I could putt."
Moore won the last of his five titles on the PGA Tour in 2016.
"I think the seasons I've played really well are a good start to the season," Moore said. "I need a good start, I need something to consolidate my schedule for next year, otherwise you are floating between the two."
Thompson's only victory on the PGA Tour was won at the 2013 Honda Classic.
The leader of the first round, Sepp Straka, followed his opening in 63 with a 72 to end up tied for fifth at 9 under, with Kevin Tway (67) and Sungjae Im (69).
"I did not really hit the ball well today," Straka said. "Yesterday, I was not faultless, I kept the ball in the right places, I did not do it today, I often lost my way a lot."
Ricky Barnes tied the course record with a score of 61 to reach 8 less.
The 59-year-old Couples paired Snedeker with a 65 to reach 7 under. Playing on a sponsor waiver, he plans to make the tournament his last event on the PGA Tour other than the Masters.
Mark Mulder, the former major league pitcher participating in his first tournament on the PGA Tour, missed the cut with rounds of 75 and 74.
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