To give the Tour credit, it is a longer “break” than last year and this is the final time we will endeavour on a wraparound season. The return to a calendar based season one of the positive outcomes of the LIV Golf vs PGA Tour saga currently playing out.

As it has for a number of years, the Fortinet Championship will open the new schedule for the American based circuit, although it is just the second year of Fortinet’s title sponsorship, the company becoming a significant supporter of golf around the world, including sponsoring the Australian PGA Championship.

It is a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to the field in California this week, with four of Trevor Immelman’s International Presidents Cup team teeing it up, while defending champion Max Homa is the lone American team representative in Napa. There is also a slew of recent Korn Ferry Tour graduates at Silverado, including Aussie Harrison Endycott who makes his main Tour debut this week.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Max Homa enjoyed a thrilling final day here last year to claim his third PGA Tour trophy, his collection now standing at four after his win at the Wells Fargo this year.

RIGHT: Max Homa claimed a third PGA Tour win here in 2021 and tees it up again before making his Presidents Cup debut next week. PHOTO: Meg Oliphant/Getty Images.

Homa was in a battle with Maverick McNealy late on Sunday, when the moustachioed American made his charge that kicked off with a hole out eagle at the par-4 12th. Homa then added birdies at 13, 16 and 17, meanwhile McNealy finished birdie-double bogey-eagle to fall one short of Homa’s 19-under-par mark.

COURSE: It is now familiar as a PGA Tour venue, and Silverado Resort and Spa’s North Course also owns ties to one of the game’s biggest names of the 1970s who became a fixture as a television commentator after his playing career ended.

Located on a ranch in the middle of California’s famed Napa Valley wine region, the original course at Silverado opened in 1955 after professional Ben Harmon designed the course for his then boss Patrick Markovich, who owned the property.

Robert Trent Jones then made changes in the 1960s as he added a second course to the property, with the North Course subsequently becoming a regular tournament host.

One player who competed there was Johnny Miller who eventually bought the property with partners and redesigned the course that will host the PGA Tour this week.

Measuring just over 7,000 yards, the tree-lined layout plays across on a fairly flat piece of land, with large bunkering and interesting green surfaces its main defence.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PRIZEMONEY: US$8,000,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Max Homa stands out in this field and clearly enjoys Silverado after he triumphed here in 2021.

Homa is now ranked No.22 in the world, and will form a key part of Davis Love III’s team next week at Quail Hollow as one of the elite ball strikers in the game with a tremendous attitude to golf and having fun.

Cam Davis will be another Presidents Cup debutant next week and will like his chances of PGA Tour win No.2 this week. PHOTO: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images.

First though, Homa will defend here and after a break following a solid Playoffs performance it would be reasonable to assume he will be near the mark when the whips start cracking on Sunday.

Another player who will be key to how the Presidents Cup plays out, and is perceived, after the loss of players to LIV is Hideki Matsuyama.

Regularly rumoured as a potential signee for Greg Norman, Matsuyama has stayed put and will be looking to find some form after a fairly pedestrian run by his high standards since he was fourth at the U.S. Open back in June.

This course rewards ball strikers, and Matsuyama is one of the best in the game in that department. His tune up ahead of next week will be interesting enough to keep tabs on.

Of the rest, last season’s Rookie of the Year Sahith Theegala will like his chances of finally getting over the line for a first win on Tour, while Maverick McNealy seemingly brings his best golf of the year to this event and will likely be a factor.

It is not a sizeable Australian contingent by any stretch of the imagination but one with plenty of intrigue.

Cam Davis should be full of confidence after getting a Presidents Cup call up, Aaron Baddeley got through Monday Qualifying to get a spot which means his game is in a good spot and World No.162 (yes you read that right) Jason Day is chasing just a second top-10 for 2022.

72-HOLE RECORD (Silverado): 267 (Stewart Cink, 2020)

18-HOLE RECORD (Silverado): 61 (Chesson Hadley, 2017)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: No Australian has won this event.

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Aaron Baddeley, Cam Davis, Jason Day, Harrison Endycott and Cameron Percy.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 8am – 11am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 8am – 11am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 8am – 11am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 8am – 11am)
*AEST, check local guides