Tony Finau Secures Third Top 10 Masters Finish In Fourth Consecutive Start
Apr 11, 2021, 4:39 PM
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Tony Finau’s 2021 Masters campaign has concluded as the big-hitting Utah native will end with a tie for 9th, his third from a possible four top 10 finishes at Augusta National.
Finau entered Sunday needing a miracle to contend with the leaders of the field, he began the day eight shots behind Hideki Matsuyama and ended 11 shots off the lead.
The Week’s Recap
It was not the week Finau had hoped for, after a second-round that brought him to within a few shots off the leaders. Then, on Saturday, otherwise known as moving day, Finau struggled to roll the ball on the rain-hit greens. His putter let him down when he needed it to catch fire.
It was immediately following the rain delay when Matsuyama found form and concluded the third round seven-under-par through his final 11 holes.
Sunday’s Experience
On Sunday, Finau battled the find the fairways off the tee, hitting just 4 from a possible 14 fairways. Subsequently, he only hit 7 from a possible 18 fairways. It was a promising week for Finau on the putting surface, which is promising, he averaged 1.49 putts per green and only succumbed to two three-putts through 72 holes.
Finau made the turn on Sunday at one-over-par with a bogey on the par 3 4th hole after his second shot from the sand hit the flagstick and ran down the slope of the green.
From underneath the trees to inches. Tony Finau saves par on No. 7 at #themasters. pic.twitter.com/Z5q3PXu5bI
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2021
However, his back-nine was far more entertaining. He bogeyed 11 and 12 and was trending in the wrong direction. But then made birdie on the very scoreable par 5 13th after draining a long 10-foot putt to get him back on track.
The following hole he drove the ball into the trees to the right. He chipped out and was still left with a wedge for his birdie attempt. But, he was able to use the slope behind the flag and trickle the ball back into the cup.
Tony Finau’s ABSURD chip shot 🤯
(via @TheMasters)pic.twitter.com/A3l9hF9bbC
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 11, 2021
A beautiful shot at the par 3 16th hole and Finau was concluding with momentum. Unfortunately, he dropped a shot on 17. But was able to gain it back on 18 after putting from off the green and ending with a birdie.
Nonetheless, it was another positive Masters tournament for Finau. Since he debuted in 2018, he has made the cut all four years and has been in contention every year but 2020 when he finished in a tie for 38th.