Tony Finau Stumbles During Third Round At The Open
Jul 17, 2021, 12:04 PM
Tony Finau of the United States plays his shot from the first tee during Day Three of The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 17, 2021 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Tony Finau has made tough work of the third round at The Open Championship after posting a two-over-par third-round score of 72 and extends the gap between himself and the leaders with just one round remaining.
Finau, 31, entered Saturday at four-under-par and seven shots behind the overnight leader Louis Oosthuizen. However, that lead has since been extended following Finau’s over-par third round.
The Numbers
During round three, the struggles for Finau occurred on the green, as has often been the case throughout his career. He averaged 1.83 putts per green following the opening two rounds when he averaged just 1.67 putts per green.
He hit 57 percent of fairways and 72 percent of greens in regulation. Compared to the field, he hit fewer fairways but more greens in regulation, his ability to avoid disaster after errant tee shots allowed Finau to scramble better than his competition.
ROUND 3 STATS
8/14 fairways💣
13/18 greens✅
3 birdies🐦
5 bogeys❌— Tony Finau Tracker (@tracker_tony) July 17, 2021
However, the struggles on the green with his putter ultimately derailed all good work prior to reaching the green.
Finau’s round included three birdies and five bogeys. He played the front nine and back nine at both one-over-par respectively and is consequently unlikely to contend for the Claret Jug on Sunday.
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The major tournaments continue to bring the best out of Finau, however, after making the cut on Friday, he secured his 15th cut made from 17 major tournament starts.
Tony Finau's shirt: 👍 or 👎? pic.twitter.com/cVaMPAQ30t
— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) July 17, 2021
Patiently Waiting
Although the elusive major tournament victory will have to wait a little longer it seems.
Finau entered The Open having missed consecutive cuts in his two previous PGA Tour starts. But, as he has so often showcased throughout his career, Finau found form on one of golf’s biggest stages.
Louis Oosthuizen, Jordan Spieth and Collin Morikawa share the lead midway through the third round at 11-under-par.
Coverage of The Open can be found on NBC.
