Tony Finau Defeats Jason Kokrak In Final Match Play Round At Austin Country Club
Mar 26, 2021, 12:28 PM
Tony Finau of the United States and plays his shot on the third tee in his match against Jason Kokrak of the United States during the third round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 26, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Tony Finau secured his first victory at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play on Friday with a 2 & 1 win over Jason Kokrak.
Unfortunately, Finau’s victory still eliminates him from advancing to the Round of 16 after his day one loss to Dylan Frittelli and a half point against Will Zalatoris on Thursday.
Finau will however take confidence and momentum out of his Friday performance against Kokrak with just two weeks until The Masters begins.
Jason Kokrak needs a win and a Dylan Frittelli loss to force extra holes.
He just went from 2UP to 1DN over the last 4 holes …#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/k8IkyrGR0D
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 26, 2021
It didn’t take long for Finau to go up in the match, after the first hole Finau was up one. Finau lost holes three, and four and found himself down midway through the front nine. But Finau regrouped and won holes five, and six to go back up by one.
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The back and forth continued between Finau and Kokrak with Kokrak winning the final three holes on the front nine.
Finau saved his best until last, it seems, as he won three consecutive holes in a row between 12 and 14. He was up two holes with only three to play.
Kokrak made a long birdie putt to texted the match on 17, and just like against Zalatoris, Finau found himself up by one heading to 18.
Against Zalatoris, Finau hit driver off 18 and went deep into the right rough where he found himself behind a tree that prevented him from hitting the green in regulation. Against Kokrak, Finau pulled out the driver again and hit a rocket down the fairway to find himself only 44 yards from the pin.
Finau left himself with an 8-foot look at birdie while Kokrak mishit his wedge and had 30 feet for birdie.
Finau made his putt and Kokrak missed giving Finau and 2 & 1 victory.
Final Hitout For Finau
Finau is currently in the field for next week’s Valero Texas Open. It will be his final tournament before he heads to Augusta, Georgia, and contends in his fourth Master’s tournament.
