Tony Finau, Preston Summerhays Poised For Waste Management Phoenix Open

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah’s Tony Finau will play the opening two rounds of the Waste Management Phoenix Open alongside Branden Grace and Michael Thompson.

The trio will begin the tournament off the first tee at 12:46 p.m. before playing off the 10th tee at 8:21 a.m. to start Friday’s round.

Preston Summerhays, a freshman at Arizona State University and son of Finau’s swing coach and renowned golf expert Boyd Summerhays, will play in just his third professional PGA Tour event. He will play alongside Joseph Bramlett and Ben Silverman.

Jon Rahm says during the round Tony Finau shot 59, Preston Summerhays was -8 thru 9 holes.

Preston Summerhays is a teenager.

— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) February 9, 2022

The tournament will be played at TPC Scottsdale and has become most famous for the wild par 3 16th hole where fans are encouraged to make noise, unlike any other professional golf event where silence fills the golf course.

Finau and the Waste Management Phoenix Open have a history with one another. In 2020, Finau lost to Webb Simpson in a playoff after completing four rounds at 17-under-par and leading through 54 holes. Simpson birdied 18 to force a playoff despite being down two shots with just three holes to go.

Nevertheless, Finau has had success at the tournament in the past which will only prove beneficial as he attempts to win his third PGA Tour event.

Years ago Finau relocated from Utah to Scottsdale, Arizona to further develop as a professional golfer. The weather in Arizona allows for the game of golf to be played year round unlike Utah where golf courses are covered in snow during winter months.

Last week, Finau concluded the Saudi International in a tie for 28th. It was the second consecutive year in which Finau has opted to play in Saudi Arabia as opposed to the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.