Tony Finau faced a pivotal moment as he stood over a 16-foot putt for birdie on the challenging par-3 9th hole, his final stop of the day. Aware that not only his personal best but also the course record at Memorial Park hung in the balance, Finau approached the putt with determination.
“I knew the significance of that putt,” Finau remarked afterward. “I was committed to giving it my best shot, ensuring it reached the hole. I was determined not to come up short. I struck the ball well, but it just didn’t quite have enough height. I felt I hit it with enough force to hold its line, but unfortunately, it fell short.”
Despite narrowly missing the birdie, Finau, the reigning champion of the Texas Children’s Houston Open, concluded his round with an impressive 8-under 62, catapulting him to the top of the leaderboard.
Tony The MACHINE ⛳️🏌️♂️
-8 on the day, -9 on the week and a 3 stroke lead
+250 live @DKSportsbook pic.twitter.com/Kxq02acHcc
— Golfbet (@Golfbet) March 29, 2024
“In such moments, you focus on one shot at a time without fixating on the score,” Finau explained. “As I neared the end of my round, I found myself in contention, and suddenly my putter caught fire. While I hit some solid shots, it was the long-distance putts that really made the difference. The eagle chip-in on the 8th hole was a standout moment. It’s remarkable how the game can change so quickly, but I try not to get ahead of myself.”
Finau’s mastery with the putter was evident, a stark contrast to his earlier struggles at Torrey Pines earlier in the season. His birdie streak began with a confident 10-foot putt at the par-4 13th, followed by a straightforward two-putt birdie at the 16th. However, it was his ability to sink long-range putts that defined his back nine, transforming his round from solid to extraordinary.
A 27-foot putt at the 4th hole was followed by a 30-footer just two holes later. Then, at the par-3 7th, Finau calmly drained another birdie from 29 feet, further igniting his momentum.
But the highlight came on the par-5 8th, where Finau sealed an eagle to reach an impressive 9-under for the championship.
Despite his commanding lead, Finau remains level-headed, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead.
“I feel comfortable on this course, but there’s still a lot of golf to be played,” Finau noted. “I’ll stick to my routine, ensuring I’m rested and prepared for the weekend.”
As the tournament progresses, Finau’s performance continues to captivate spectators, a testament to his skill and resilience on the course.
