The Idyllwild native plays Shriners in Las Vegas this week

Brendan Steele posted a 1-under-par 74-68-72-73 — 287 at the Safeway Open in Napa last week to tie for 60th place. He collected 15 birdies, but they were offset by 12 bogeys and a double. He averaged drives of 307 yards, but found only 50% of the fairways. He hit about 64% of the greens in regulation, while losing about a half a stroke putting to the field each day.
The Idyllwild native now stands 87th on the FedExCup points list, dropping 26 places from last week. Steele needs to be in the top 125 at the regular season’s end next August to earn his PGA Tour playing card for next year — unless he qualifies by winning a tournament this season or places in the top 125 on the official money list.
Steele will prep for a better result this week in Las Vegas where he plays in the $7-million Shriners Hospitals for Children Open on the TPC Summerlin course. He’ll tee off Thursday at 7:30 a.m. PDT and Friday at 12:20 p.m. PDT playing both days with Andrew Putnam and Bubba Watson.