Tony Finau Completes First Round Of New Year At Sentry Tour Of Champions Tournament
Jan 7, 2021, 6:36 PM
Tony Finau of the United States plays his shot from the second tee during the first round of the Sentry Tournament Of Champions at the Kapalua Plantation Course on January 07, 2021 in Kapalua, Hawaii. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Tony Finau has completed his first round of the year following a one-over-par first-round final score at the Sentry Tour of Champions in Maui, Hawaii.
Front Nine
Finau’s round began with five consecutive birdies before his first birdie of the new year falling on the 424 yard par 4 sixth hole at the Kapalua Plantation Course.
He made the turn at one-under-par.
The Golf Channel is now airing live coverage of the first round of the Sentry Tour of Champions.
Tony Finau is competing in his first tournament in 2021.
Let’s go Tony! ⛳️⛳️⛳️
The broadcast will end at 8 pm this evening.
— Tom Hackett (@TomCantHackett) January 7, 2021
However, unfortunately, the wheels fell off for Finau on the par 4 10th and the par 3 11th as Finau scored back to back bogeys which forced him back into the red.
Back Nine
The back nine was a constant struggle for Finau who found the Hawaiin conditions difficult to muster. After the back to back bogeys, Finau made a birdie on the 14th before making a double bogey on 15.
It will be a par at 18
Opening round 74(+1) for Tony, currently T40
— Tony Finau Tracker (@tracker_tony) January 8, 2021
The par 5 15th hole was a disaster for Finau. Who hit a 296-yard bomb off the tee to land in a prime position in the middle of the fairway. His second shot went wayward into the native area consequently resulting in a dropped stroke. Moments later, Finau had a three-foot putt for bogey which he missed to tap in for double.
A brilliant response came on the par 4 16th when his approach from 98 yards missed the cup by 20 inches and a tap-in birdie shortly followed.
Finau would end with a final-round score of 74, one over par, and in a tie for 40th.
Fortunately, the annual Sentry Tour of Champions tournament is a cut-free event assuring Finau will be able to string together four consecutive rounds.
Finau’s Tournament History
Finau last competed in the Sentry Tour of Champions in 2017 when he finished in a tie for ninth and eight shots off the eventual champion Justin Thomas.
Friday Tee Time
Tee times for Friday’s second round are yet to be released. An announcement is expected shortly.
Other Notables
Other notables in the field include Harris English who leads the field at seven-under-par, Justin Thomas (-5), Dustin Johnson (-3), Jon Rahm (-1), Patrick Reed (-3), Adam Scott (-5), and Bryson Dechambeau (-4).
