DETROIT Tony FinauIn less than one calendar year, he has changed the conversation.
Finau won the Rocket Mortgage Classic Sunday at Detroit Golf Club, becoming the first player in three consecutive PGA Tour events. He finished with a 5-under score of 67, a victory by five shots and a tournament record total of 26-under 262.
It was Finau’s fourth career victory and his third title in over 11 months. Finau started his streak of success last August at The Northern Trust where he won his first victory in five year and 142 PGA Tour starts.
Finau, a Salt Lake City native of Tongan-Samoan origin, said that she is proud of how she has overcome adversity during her career. They say that a winner is someone who keeps trying. Thats me.
Finau ended a drought by winning in Detroit. He won for the first-time in six attempts when he held or shared a 54-hole lead in a PGA Tour tournament.
He did it effortlessly.
Taylor Pendrith (72), Patrick Cantlay(66) and front-runner for rookie of the Year Cameron Young(68) tied for a distant 2nd.
Young stated, I wasn’t that close. Tony put up a show.
Indeed.
Finau shot 66 of 72 fairways in regulation, trailing only two players in a PGA Tour 72 hole event in 1980. Peter JacobsenIn 1995, Pebble Beach saw 69 greens in regulation. A year later, it was 69 greens in regulation. Willie WoodAt the Sanderson Farms Championship, he scored 67.
Finauls sixth birdie at the No. Finauls sixth birdie at No. Nate Lashleys tournament record of 25 less was set in 2019 during the inaugural PGA Tour Event.
The Wyndham Championship will be the end of the regular season for the PGA Tour. The North Carolina event opens Thursday. To earn a spot in next seasons playoffs, players on the bubble will have one more chance to finish in the top125 of the FedEx Cup standings.
Sunday saw Pendrith and Finau tied after a round that felt like match play. A potential Detroit duel was turned into a dud.
Pendriths first round was disappointing after he shared the lead with Finau in Round 1. He led Finau by one shot after Round 2. Pendrith then tied his 21-under total through three rounds.
Canadas 31-year-old PGA Tour rookie hit an errant tee ball on the second hole to right behind tree branches. After being distracted by a fan running along the fairway, he pulled a 9-foot putt to take the lead.
Cantlay, No. Cantlay, No. 4, was fourth in the world ranking. He had his third round in the mid-60s following an opening 70. Young was second after a round of 71 in the first round.
Young stated, I would be lying if i said it was easy just to watch other people win. Obviously, Tony beat all of us today by a lot.
Pendrith struggled to finish the final round, just as he did in the 54-hole lead the previous time. He was three shots ahead at the Bermuda Championship last Oct, but a 76 put him in fifth place. This was his best finish since his appearance in the Motor City.
Pendrith said that it stings a bit after missing almost four months due to a broken rib. He played in his third tournament.
Finau began to pull away in Pendrith, with an 11-foot birdie at No. 4 and a tap in for birdie at No. 7.
A par-saving, 11-foot putt at No. 9 was crucial.
Finau said, When that lipped back, that gave my some momentum and then he was in control of golf tournament.
He putt 21 feet to make birdie at No. He scored 10 for his third birdie. After his first bogey, Finau made a 31-foot putt at No. Finau putt a 31-foot putt at No. 11 with a break from left to right. 12.
Finau was the 3M Open champion last week in Minnesota. He rallied from five strokes behind to win by three. Brendon ToddHe was the last PGA Tour player who won two consecutive regular season titles. This feat was accomplished in 2019.
A week can change your life, Finau said. When I look at my life, you will see that two weeks have made a huge difference in it.