TONY FINAU: THE BIG BREAK

Former Golf Channel’s “The Big Break” standout leads the field at Muirfield (-6) after Round 1

DUBLIN, OH–Despite windy conditions Tony Finau  continued to putt with remarkable consistency to score a smooth 66 good for the lead at (-6).  The former “The Big Break” contestent  has been a fixture amongst tour favorites in recent months.  From his “interesting” relationship with Tiger Woods, to his awkward antics on the greens, Tony even has “Six Degrees of Separation” to the NBA and all this while he’s begun to discreetly (or not so discreetly) start floating around the rarefied PGA Tour air around him.  Finau has always been an enigma amongst his peers.  The former college basketball recruit out of Utah, who also happens to be second cousin to former Duke standout and NBA basketball player Jabari Parker, decided to forego that sport to focus on the game of golf at the age of 17.  Tony got his first pro exemption at the Greater Milwaukee Open in 2007 and continued to grind through mini tours, and yes, as well as a stint on reality television.  He joined the PGA Tour Canada in 2013 and officially worked his way onto the PGA Tour in 2016.  Finau is more workman like at his craft than a standout in any particular category.  Although he has been hot off the greens of late, his overall putting avg. stands at 1.594, good for a mediocre (66th) on tour and his One-Putt Percentage of 39.98% is a meager (85th).  What he generally lacks in putting, he tries to make up for with a solid driving Distance average of 305.9 yards (26th) and a much improved tee-to-green avg. of 1.278 (10th).  When Finau manages his game around the greens, he fairs very well in scoring, boasting a 4.26 Birdie avg. (20th) and 69.43 (Actual) Scoring avg, also (20th).  The knock on Finau is that he has so much room to grow.  Many on tour suggest that if only he would fully apply himself, the sky would show him no limits.  Never shying away from the spotlight, he has demonstrated tremendous flashes in Major tournaments, most recently at last years Masters, finishing 5th, which he followed up with a 3rd place finish at the Open Championship later that season.  After his first round performance at Muirfield, it appears that this late bloomer is starting to find his groove.

TONY FINAU: PGA TOUR STATS 2020

MAJOR STRIDES

Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament	T5: 2019
PGA Championship	T10: 2015
U.S. Open	5th: 2018
The Open Championship	3rd: 2019

Tony steps it up when the lights are brightest

TONY AND THE TIGER

Tony Finau’s few interactions with Tiger Woods have been frosty to say the least… 

The Finau/Woods relationship can probably be best described as awkward…As Finau was surging at last years Masters he found himself paired with his idol on Day 4.  After saying “good luck” on the first hole no words were exchanged until hole 7.  In an attempt to break the ice, Finau said, “Hey Tiger. How’s the family? How’s the kids?”  Woods, known for his laser-like focus,  replied with a frosty “they’re good” and nothing more.  Finau recalled that congratulating Woods at 18 was his last interaction with him.

Also: here’s Finau recounting a moment from the 2018 Memorial:

“I putted for 20 minutes. I saw him walking toward the (fans), so I sneaked by him. No one was paying attention to me, of course, it was Tiger. As I’m walking up the stairs, he looks up at me and shakes his head.

I’m eating lunch, he comes in and looks at me and says, “You’re an (expletive)” (with a smile). I stuck him with all his fans and didn’t help him one bit to sign. He didn’t like that a lot, but I was ready to eat and knew they were there for him. It’s not that I don’t like signing, I was just very hungry.”

We’ll be sure to continue to keep track of this budding connection…

“THE BIG DISLOCATION” 

Good grief, Tony Finau wrecked his ankle celebrating a hole in one pic.twitter.com/8o7JxVi3xQ

— CJ Fogler #BlackLivesMatter (@cjzero) April 4, 2018

Finau contorts his ankle after sinking a hole in one at the Masters Par 3 contest in 2018.  He managed to pop it back in in real time.  Despite the gruesome injury, Finau played all week and finished tied for 10th at The Masters.

More Tales from the Memorial to follow as we march closer towards the PGA Championship at Harding Park Aug 3-9

OUR NEW NORMAL: GETTING OUT OF THE ROUGH

Due to the increased spread of the COVID-19 pandemic,  We are going to take a focus on how the various Public, Federal, and Private golf courses are addressing the reality of the Novel Coronavirus.  We hope to give additional insight to these ongoing changes to our Community at  MyScorecard and Outdrive Me so to better avoid the spread of the infectious respiratory disease.

Please note: During this current phase of the pandemic, Public and Federal courses do not allow for any groups larger than a Foursome.

Below are links that identify the current trends and developments in the United States:

New York Times Corona Interactive Map

CDC Covid Data Tracker

PUBLIC AND FEDERAL GOLF COURSE GUIDELINES – WEAR YOUR MASK!!!!!

Of the 4 Greater Washington Metropolitan Public and Federally owned golf courses surveyed, a unanimous refrain from their staffs was that guests are not respecting the CDC guidelines these establishments are forced to adhere by.  The most broken rule is that of wearing a mask.  Most often the attendant or employee of the golf course will be too timid to enforce the rule or guests will just blatantly disregard the requirement entirely.  CDC data has revealed that a primary route of transmission of the disease is likely via small droplets that are ejected when speaking, coughing or sneezing.  Masks are viewed as effective as a “source control” because they can prevent larger expelled droplets from evaporating into smaller droplets that can travel farther.  Please do your part as a member of your community and READ and FOLLOW the guidelines, restrictions, and regulations that are designed for your safety provided by your attended golf course.

PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING:

So You Wanna Give Your Homie/Homegirl Dabs…

We’ve heard it ad nauseam: *6 FEET APART.  That’s the spacing and distancing required by each individual to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.   However, recent studies have suggested that 20 feet of distance and a mask is the most sure fire way to stay safe. That’s obviously ridiculous when golfing with a friend or someone that you are comfortable and familiar with.  I get it.  How difficult is it NOT to acknowledge a killer Drive, sweet Approach shot, or beautiful Layup to stave off a potential disaster?  You know the feeling!!!  Similar to the time you nailed a scientific Fade that let you off the hook from a bad Shank…You know the immediate reaction is that your Homie/Homegirl will want to give you dabs of some sort.  Unfortunately, a handshake, high five, or a hug is not advisable during this pandemic.  The best suggested practice when combating COVID-19 while golfing is to avoid body contact and to steer clear of the exchange of equipment amongst partners or groupings.  Hands touch too many surfaces and can quickly pickup viruses.  Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your face, from where the virus can move inside of your body, making you feel unwell.  Probably best to acknowledge a certain feat with  a fist bump or a tip of the cap.

PACK A SNACK

Although I highly recommend that you support all local small businesses and establishments during this crucial time,  the restaurants affiliated with Public and Federally owned golf courses are mostly limited to a reduced Carry-Out Menu.  At the risk of an 1hr 1/2 or 2 plus hour drive, it would probably be wise to pack a sandwich or a snack just in case their offerings aren’t to your liking due to the lack of variety .  Golfing 9 between Four participants who are primarily chopping it up could take way longer than expected.  This is one way to ensure that you’ll have enough sustenance to carry through the day.

PRIVATE GOLF COURSES GUIDELINES

Well, looks like you’re successful at what you do! If you’re reading this you have the luxury of golfing at a private estate or you have a friend in a very high place.  At this point in life, you may feel invincible.  Just remember:  COVID-19 does not distinguish between Prince or Pauper.  Please adhere to the suggestions listed above to ensure safety for yourself and others.

In addition: The PGA continues to monitor this situation closely.  We will keep our Community posted on all updates.

PGA TOUR update on protocols for positive/symptomatic cases – PGA Tour

PGA Tour scraps plan to have fans at Memorial due to COVID-19 – Reuters