Tony Finau Battles Through Day One To Remain In Contention

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The day began much later than Finau was expecting with a three-hour weather delay suspending play some 20 minutes prior to Finau’s original tee time.

Nonetheless, Finau eventually knocked it off the 10th tee to begin his 2020 Masters campaign.

There was no question that the recent rain in which Augusta National had endured had lengthened the golf course, however, the greens were sticky and players were able to attack pin locations that they normally would not be able to. On some occasions, the golf ball sat in the divot and did not release.

Front Nine

Finau’s round began on the dangerous tenth tee which he would ultimately make par after draining a long 20-foot par putt.

Then back-to-back bogeys dropped Finau down the leaderboard and flirting with trouble. He was two-over-par through just three holes.

The strength of Finau was being tested immediately, fortunately, he survived.

A birdie on 13, eagle on 15, bogey on 16 and birdie on 17 put Finau in a position to make a run at the turn.

A hole-out for eagle from the bunker for Tony Finau. #themasters pic.twitter.com/IUu1Uh9VZ7

— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 12, 2020

Despite the chaotic front nine, Finau still found himself under-par and just four shots shy of the leader Lee Westwood.

Back Nine

Holes 1 through 9 at Augusta generally plays easier than holes 10 through 18. The hardest holes were behind Finau who had already survived Amen Corner and other hazards on what is generally the back nine.

Fortunately, Finau’s back nine included three birdies, one bogey and five pars. It was a far more comfortable nine-hole stretch for Finau who ended at three-under-par, 69, and in a tie for ninth as it currently stands.

Friday Tee Time

Finau will tee off at 9:49 a.m. on Friday off the first tee. He will play alongside the current leader Paul Casey and former Masters champion Patrick Reed.

If @tonyfinaugolf wins this week in Augusta then I imagine he follows the guidelines below rather closely.
– long off the tee
– silky hands around the green
-stay aggressive on Sunday

Go get em T, the state of Utah is backing you! 🏌️ ⛳️ #themasters https://t.co/LUgvtoaXKr

— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) November 12, 2020

Other Notables

Paul Casey leads the field at seven-under-par.

Tiger Woods managed to go bogey-free for the first time on the first day at Augusta in his career and the first time in 106 professional rounds to end with a four-under-par, 68.

Justin Thomas began his day with three consecutive birdies. He is in the midst of his first-round currently.

A pair of Americans in Webb Simpson and Xander Xaueffelle are in a tie for second at five-under-par.