NAPA, Calif. -- Bill Haas, Max Homa and Harold Varner III have something in common at the Safeway Open.They were fill-ins for Tiger Woods.Another PGA Tour season begins Thursday at Silverado in what was billed as the return of Tiger Woods, right up until the point that Woods decided his game was vulnerable and not where it needed to be for him to compete. The announcement at the start of the week spoiled the plans of the Safeway Open to make the golf course -- and not the vineyards -- the place to be.Woods was going to play the pro-am on Wednesday with Stephen Curry, the two-time MVP for the Golden State Warriors. Then, he was to be in the same group as Phil Mickelson and defending champion Emiliano Grillo for the opening two rounds.Varner took over as the pro in Currys group, with both going to college in North Carolina (Varner at East Carolina, Curry at Davidson).Got to thank Tiger, Varner said. If it wasnt for Tiger, I wouldnt be here. I had a good time.Haas is a six-time winner on the PGA Tour. One of those victories was at Congressional for the AT&T National where Woods was the host.As for Homa?The former Cal star made it back to the PGA Tour and was an alternate for the Safeway Open. He got into the tournament when Woods withdrew. Homa tweeted later that day, Thanks Tiger. Next time we hang out, dinners on me. Get back out here soon plz. Sincerely, Your biggest fan.In the meantime, the 2016-17 season begins without him.MICKELSON RIDING HIGH: Mickelson has played 24 times in 35 weeks this year, and the 46-year-old was full of energy when he arrived at the Safeway Open. Attribute that to the Ryder Cup, were Lefty was the vocal leader for the Americans and turned in the top performance on the final day of an American victory. He made 10 birdies and needed them all for a halve against Sergio Garcia.Mickelson hasnt won since 2013, but that team victory at Hazeltine filled a void.Im still on an emotional high, and even though Ive been running around this last week, my energy level is up and Im optimistic about having a good week, Mickelson said. I love the golf course and the feel. Its in California and Im excited to play.The first tournament of the new season is also the last tournament for Mickelson this year.THE COMEBACK: One player dressed head-to-toe in Nike has chosen the Safeway Open to return from a back injury.And yes, Nick Watney is playing.Watney had a herniated disc and last played at Torrey Pines in January. Instead of surgery, he opted to take eight months off for rest and therapy. He began chipping and putting in August. His back specialist put him on what amounted to a pitch count so he wouldnt overdo. Watney was excited to be back on the tour, and several players did a double take when they saw him head to the practice range Wednesday. It had been a long time.THE SHOW: Curry brought some star power to the pro-am, and he put on a show with a birdie on his final hole.But the biggest shot came from Varner.Someone set up a makeshift basketball goal in the bleachers, and Curry and Varner took turns heaving shots into the grandstand at the hoop. None came particularly close until Varner let one fly and banked it in.I dont know if he was really trying, Varner said.THE ROOKIES: The players who make their PGA Tour debuts as card-carrying members can seek inspiration from the defending champion.A year ago, Grillo won the Web.com Tour Championship, and two weeks later began his PGA Tour career with a playoff victory at Silverado. 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It was obvious that something was about to happen, even to the referees because the fourth lines were on to start. Mark McGwire Jersey . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Jedd Gyorko Jersey . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Nelly Korda won the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge on Sunday for her first Symetra Tour title.The 18-year-old Korda, the sister of LPGA Tour winner Jessica Korda and daughter of former tennis champion Petr Korda, closed with a 5-under 66 for a three-stroke victory at Willow Run.I dont even have words, Korda said. Having my first professional win out here is just amazing. The atmosphere today was just amazing. I could not have asked for a better day and a better week.She earned $31,500 to jump from 27th to 11th on the money list with $57,316. The top 10 after the final five events will earn LPGA Tour cards, setting up a possible sister act next year.I mean its been my dream ever since I competed in the U.S. Open at 14, Korda said. Just being with her and alongside her has always been a really big dream of mine and hopefully I can fulfill that dream by getting my LPGA Tour card. But Im just going to take it a step at a time and not really think about that and just enjoy my time out here.Third-round leader Wichanee Meechai was second after a 70. She moved from 11th to fourth on the money list..ddddddddddddMoney leader Madelene Sagstrom and Ally McDonald, second on the money list, tied for third at 9 under. Sagstrom had a 71, and McDonald shot 64.Korda finished at 14-under 270. She birdied three of the first five holes to jump into a share of the lead, highlighting the run with a 25-foot chip-in on the par-4 third.With the chip-in, it was kind of an awkward stance, Korda said. It was downwind and downhill and it was a very delicate shot and I just told myself, `Youve had this putt a couple of times you know how it turns -- just execute it. Pick your target, hit it and move on. I was just going for a par and then it rolled in. It was definitely a big boost.Korda added birdied on the par-5 14th and the par-4 15th.I putted really well, Korda said. Every aspect of my game was really good. If I hit a couple of loose shots I knew I could get up-and-down. I was really comfortable with my short game and my putting. Everything really clicked this week and Im really happy about that. Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Cheap Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Jerseys 2020 Wholesale Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys ' ' '