Brendan Steele came back Sunday at the Waste Management Open in Phoenix with a 2-under-par 69 to earn a tie for 17th place. He was perfect with two birdies Sunday, posting a 6-under-par 72-67-70-69 — 278 for the tournament that was eight strokes off the pace.

It was his third top-20 of the season in seven starts. He picked up 51 FedExCup points, but dropped from 30th to 31st on the list, since other players repositioned, as well — including tournament winner Hideki Matsuyama, who vaulted from 74th to the 10th spot. The Idyllwild native now has earned 315 FedExCup points for this season.

Brendan’s drives found 55 percent of the fairways, and he hit 65 percent of the greens in regulation. He used about 1.7 putts per GIR, picking up 1.7 strokes on the field putting and 4.1 strokes tee-to-green.

His Sunday birdies came at the 553-yard, par-5 15th hole where a fine third shot — a 40-yard chip from the rough — left a 4-footer that he sank, and at the 163-yard, par-3 16th where he dropped a 10-footer.

B is taking this week off, skipping the Pro-Am at Pebble Beach. But we may see him at the Riviera County Club in Pacific Palisades next week.

Jack Clark may be reached at jack@towncrier.com.