Tony Finau (pronounced FeeNow) is a hugely talented American golfer playing mainly on the PGA Tour. Despite only winning one PGA Tour event, he is in the top fifteen on the Official World Golf Ranking. This is a testament to his consistency.
Being of Tongan descent, Tony was not interested in golf even though his older brother Gripper had already started playing golf. His interest in golf was sparked when he watched a young Tiger Woods winning the 1997 Masters Tournament.
Although they were not financially strong his parents believed that playing golf will keep Tony out of the gangs active in their area.
Tony and his brother learned their trade in their garage hitting golf balls off strips of carpet into a mattress at the end of the garage.
Known as one of the longest hitters, Tony Finau regularly ends in the top-twenty to -thirty in driving distance at the end of the season with an average of over 300-yards. This piqued interest in Tony Finau’s clubs.
Due to his late entry into golf combined with his early entry into the professional game, Tony did not have a long amateur career.
Tony Finau – What’s In The Bag
Golfer Profile
D.O.B
Tony Finau was born on September 14, 1989, in Salt Lake City, Utah, turned professional in 2007 at the age of 17.
Height
Tony is quite tall standing at 6 ft 4 in tall, or 1.93 m. This helps him generate some very long shots.
History
He still resides in Utah but has moved to Lehi, Utah.
Unlike most other professional golfers that started playing golf at the age of two or three, Tony was only introduced to golf at the age of seven.
History/Career Highlights
- As an amateur Tony Finau was a two-time medalist at the Utah State high school.
- In 2002 Tony won the Junior World Golf Championship.
- Tony won the 2006 Utah state Amateur.
- He also won the 2012 Provo Open in 2012 and successfully defended his title in 2013.
- Finau started his professional career playing on mini-tours before finishing second on the 2009 Big Break Disney golf on the Golf Channel.
- In 2013 Tony participated on the PGA Tour Canada making seven cuts in eight tournaments.
- Later in 2013, Tony earned his WEB.COM Tour card for 2014 through the qualifying school.
- 2014 was a breakthrough year for Tony Finau as he finished eighth in the WEB.COM regular-season and twelfth in the finals thus qualifying for the PGA Tour for 2015.
- It did not take long for Finau to make his mark and he won his first PGA title in the 2016 Porto Rico Open.
- In 2018 tony was selected for his first U.S. Ryder Cup team.
Some Interesting Facts about Tony
- Tony Finau’s first sport that he participated in was fire-knife dancing.
- Instruction during his early years was limited to the knowledge that his father could impart.
What’s In The Bag?
Tony’s success frequently leads to interest in his club choice.
Driver – 9.5-degree Ping G425 with 45 ¼ “ Mitsubishi Chemical Diamana RF 60 X shaft.
Woods – 3-wood – 13-degree Ping G400 Stretch with 42 ½-degree Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 X shaft.
Driving Iron – 3-iron – 18 1/2 -degree Nike Vapor Fly Pro with Graphite Design Tour AD DI Hybrid 105 X shaft.
Irons – 4-PW Irons – Ping Blueprint with Nippon Modus 3 120 TX shafts and custom Lamkin UTX Mid (green/yellow cord).
Wedges – 50-degree and 56-degree Ping Glide Forged wedge.
Lob-wedge – 60-degree Titleist Vokey SM8 with Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 125 X shafts.
Putter – Piretti Prototype Putter.
Ball – Titleist Pro V1.
Other Gear – Nike shoes and apparel.
Predictions
Tony Finau’s consistency has stood him in good stead every season and he has participated in the playoffs nearly every season with his highest place. The 2020/21 season is no different and Tony is in the top fifteen positions of the standings.
With the quality of golf, he is playing it will be difficult to keep him out of the final 30 Players tournament in the playoffs.
Tony came into form late in the 2020/21 season and I think the 2021/22 season will be his best season yet! Watch out for Tony, he will get a few wins this upcoming season for sure!
Any interesting facts or feedback are welcome in the comments section below.
References
- PGA, https://www.pgatour.com/players/player.29725.tony-finau.html
