Compared to the events that surround it on the golf calendar, this week's Fortinet Championship is about as low-key as it gets. That could pave the way for a great start to both the fall golf season as well as the 2021-22 PGA Tour season.
It's fitting that this tournament is played in Napa, California, because a surprisingly good field will play a chilled-out event that is bookended by the $46 million Tour Championship and next week's Ryder Cup. Throw in some west-coast watch times and the No. 1 player in the world, and we have ourselves a little golf tournament at Silverado Country Club.
Chez Reavie had the lead at 65 after Thursday's first round with Cameron Tringale and Adam Hadwin just a stroke back. Six others were two off the pace. Masters winner Hideki Matsuyama was at 69, and Phil Mickelson shot 70.
Jon Rahm, who fired an even-par 72, was making his season debut along with Webb Simpson, Will Zalatoris, Matsuyama and Mickelson, the Ryder Cup vice captain,
Rahm's numbers entering the tournament are a joke. The only time he's finished outside the top 10 at an event in his last eight starts was when he had to withdraw from the Memorial because of a positive COVID-19 test result. Two of those were majors. Three were FedEx Cup Playoff events. He is not only the best player in the world, he is by far the best player in the world, and the show he'll put on this week is worth the price of admission (or tuning in).
There will be other storylines, too, including the start of Mickelson's 31st (!!) season on the PGA Tour, but Rahm is the centerpiece and should be the focus all week as another season full of hilarious and wonderful unknowns begins this week in Napa.
All times Eastern; streaming start times approximated
Round 2 – Friday
Round starts: 10 a.m.
Featured groups: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. -- PGA Tour Live
Live TV coverage: 6-9 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live stream online: 6-9 p.m. on fuboTV (Try for free) and NBCSports.com
Radio: 3-9 p.m. on PGA Tour Radio
Round 3 – Saturday
Round starts: 10 a.m.
Featured groups: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. -- PGA Tour Live
Live TV coverage: 6-9 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live stream online: 6-9 p.m. on fuboTV (Try for free) and NBCSports.com
Radio: 4-9 p.m. on PGA Tour Radio
Round 4 – Sunday
Round starts: 10 a.m.
Featured groups: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. -- PGA Tour Live
Live TV coverage: 6-9 p.m. on Golf Channel
Live stream online: 6-9 p.m. on fuboTV (Try for free) and NBCSports.com
Radio: 4-9 p.m. on PGA Tour Radio