NAPA, Calif. -- Phil Mickelson rarely has sounded so excited to start a new PGA Tour season, even with the old season ending just three weeks ago.Then again, he doesnt have a lot of experience winning the Ryder Cup.Still gushing over the U.S. victory two weeks ago at Hazeltine, Mickelson gets one last chance to win something for himself at the Safeway Open. Its the first event in the 2016-17 season. Its also the last event of the year for the 46-year-old Mickelson.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 excitement was tempered earlier in the week when Tiger Woods withdrew.Woods had said a month ago he planned to play at Silverado and officially entered the tournament on Friday. The tour decided to put Woods and Mickelson in the same group, along with defending champion Emiliano Grillo, for the opening two rounds.And then Woods said his game was vulnerable and not where it needed to be for him to return to the PGA Tour for the first time in 14 months. Mickelson and Woods had not played together since the opening round of the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla. Woods was replaced in the group by Bill Haas.Mickelson said he has texted Woods a few times, though he understands the decision.We all want Tiger to come back, but we want him to come back when hes ready, Mickelson said. If he doesnt feel like hes ready, then he should wait. Well all wait in anticipation and were excited, but I understand theres a lot of pressure not just to come back but to perform when he does come back. So you want to make sure that your game is right because look at how much scrutiny hes going to be under.Mickelson playing is rare occurrence, too.This is the first time he has played a domestic PGA Tour event in the fall since the FedEx Cup began in 2007, which moved the Tour Championship from the last week in October to the end of September. Mickelson also was on the task force that chose not to award Ryder Cup points to this tournament or the others in the fall, arguing that it would give the bottom half of the tour a head start in the standings.Safeway is in its first year as the title sponsor, and Mickelsons management company runs the tournament.Mickelson is among only four of the top 25 in the world ranking at Silverado, joining Paul Casey, Matt Kuchar and Grillo. The star power Wednesday came in the pro-am, where Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry played with Harold Varner III, who also was raised in North Carolina. Curry was supposed to play with Woods.I wouldnt call it disappointment because obviously thats a huge opportunity just to begin with, Curry said. Well be happy to have him back whenever that time is. Its unfortunate that hes not here, but Ill be watching whatever tournament he does come back.Mickelson had one of his best years without winning. He finished No. 12 on the money list and went over $4 million for the first time since 2013, the year of his most recent victory at the British Open. He ended last year at No. 34 in the world and now is up to No. 15.He even challenged to win the Vardon Trophy for the lowest adjusted scoring average until falling too far back over the last three tournaments of the season.But hes still lacking a victory.The Ryder Cup helped to feel that void, mainly because of how much Mickelson had invested in it. He was the catalyst for change when he publicly challenged the captaincy of Tom Watson in 2014, which led to the task force and significant changes to the U.S. model. Lefty backed it up on the golf course, going 2-1-1 for the week and finishing with a 10-birdie round that earned a half-point against Sergio Garcia.Mickelson raved about the performance of the entire U.S. team, and had to be reminded that he performed better than anyone on the final day.I played some of my best golf, too, because when you feel that kind of support and you play for a bigger purpose, it brings out some of your best golf, Mickelson said. I was certainly a beneficiary of it, as well.Now hes back on his own, though it was clear the Ryder Cup was enough to carry him into the offseason. C.C. Sabathia Yankees Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Johnny Damon Yankees Jersey . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. http://www.yankeesrookiestore.com/Yankees-Randy-Johnson-Kids-Jersey/ . -- Ryan Blaney provided more evidence that Penske Racings No. Don Mattingly Jersey . Collaros, 25, was solid last season, posting a 5-2 record as the starter while incumbent Ricky Ray was injured. Collaros also started Torontos 23-20 regular-season finale loss to Montreal — Ray didnt dress because the Argos had already clinched first in the East Division — but was one of three quarterbacks to play that day. Joe DiMaggio Yankees Jersey . JOHNS, N.VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Whitecaps have developed a habit of giving up second-half goals, and outspoken midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker wants the emerging trend to end as soon as possible. "Weve got to tighten up defensively," he said. "Weve been conceding goals and giving away cheap and easy goals. You cant do it at this level. Youre going to get punished." The Whitecaps (4-5-4) will try to kick the habit as they host the New England Revolution on Saturday. The Seattle Sounders overcame a 2-1 deficit to beat the Whitecaps 3-2 last weekend. The loss was compounded by a hamstring injury to top central defender Andy OBrien, who will miss the game against the Revs (5-4-5). The Whitecaps were leading in Seattle when OBrien left, but could not maintain the advantage with a makeshift back line. However, the Whitecaps were squandering leads in the second half even with him in the lineup. Vancouver had to settle for draws in a league game against Portland and the second leg of the Canadian championship final against the Montreal Impact. Both ties occurred on the home turf at B.C. Place stadium -- a cause for concern as the Whitecaps prepare to meet a New England team that is unbeaten in six games, including U.S. Open Cup play. The Revs have scored nine goals in their past two games, and allowed a league-low nine goals in MLS contests. Injuries on Vancouvers back line threaten to produce more second-half breakdowns. Carlyle Mitchell, recalled from lower-tier FC Edmonton, will replace OBrien and Johnny Leveron will continue to play the other centre back spot in place of captain Jay DeMerit, who has missed most of the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. Reo-Coker, a former English Premier League star who joined the team in pre-season, said the Caps have to mature quickly. "Its a learning curve," he said. "Some teams go through these little periods. Its about learning from the mistakes. "Weve got quite a few new players here (from last season.) Weve got some young players here. But weve got enough experienced players to make sure those mistakes dont happen." He called on players to take on more responsibility and communicate better on the pitch as the Whitecaps attempt to finish in the top five in the Western Conference and earn a playoff berth. Coach Martin Rennie is concerned that the club is giving up goals in the second half, but noted it is not surrendering late markers like it did during a stretch last season.dddddddddddd Generally, he likes the way the team has been finishing games. The Whitecaps have also displayed more finish around the net lately, producing eight goals in their past four games, including league and Canadian championship play. If not for some close misses, the Caps could have had several more goals. Rennie hopes the trio of Brazilian Camilo, Scottish international Kenny Miller and Russell Teibert of Niagara Falls, Ont., will continue to develop the chemistry that they have displayed lately. After struggling to maintain a lineup spot earlier in the season, Camilo now leads the team in scoring. He accounted for all of Vancouvers scoring in Seattle and has four goals and an assist in the past four games, including Canadian championship play. Miller, who has missed most of the season with a hamstring injury, has three goals in the five league games in which he has played. Teibert has been on a tear since scoring his first two MLS goals in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 11. The Canadian midfielder, used in a much more attacking role of late, has three assists in the past two games. Factoring in his two goals, he has generated five points in the last four contests. "Its an exciting combination and its only just starting to take root," said Rennie of the trio. Miller said he, Camilo and Teibert are "a work in progress" and can only improve over time. They can also play a role defensively by pressuring the opposition defenders and giving them less time to see the field and move the ball. But the whole team needs to get "in sync." Once the necessary cohesion is achieved, it will become "an art." In the meantime, Reo-Coker is calling on a young players like Mitchell to help make up for OBriens absence and lim