TOM HACKETT
Tony Finau Off To Positive Start At Genesis Open, Tiger Woods Spectates
Feb 17, 2022, 6:00 PM
Tony Finau of the United States putts on the 12th green during the first round of The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 17, 2022 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah’s Tony Finau has performed admirably throughout the opening round of the Genesis Invitational to remain in contention with three rounds to play.
Finau, 32, has found great success at the Genesis Invitational in the past having finished in second place last year and a tie for second in 2018.
It is an all-star lineup this week as all 10 of the top 10 players in the world are in the field. Finau is paired alongside Sergio Garcia and Rickie Fowler for the opening two rounds.
On the opening hole, Finau found the green in two shots, his third was a perfectly waited putt to six feet which he accurately judged the right-to-left movement for an opening hole birdie. It was the perfect start for Finau.
Trouble followed towards the back of the front nine when he succumbed to back-to-back birdies on holes seven and eight to make the turn at one-over-par.
However, the back nine was kind to Finau who found three birdies to climb back up the leaderboard and finish at two-under-par.
Finau fires a -2 today, 5 back
— Tony Finau Tracker (@tracker_tony) February 18, 2022
Currently, the field is chasing Joaquín Niemann who holds a three-shot lead over Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, and Cameron Young. Niemann finds himself at eight-under-par.
Tiger Woods Update
The Genesis Open is being held at Riviera Country Club in Southern California. Tiger Woods is present and is hosting the event which annually helps raise money for his charity. It is the first PGA Tour event in which Woods’ finds himself at since sustaining traumatic leg injuries following a severe car crash two days after last year’s Genesis Open finished.
With @TigerWoods looking on. 🐅
Charlie Sifford Memorial exemption @ABeverlyGolf birdies the first! pic.twitter.com/ioSnV5ERDg
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 17, 2022
During media availability prior to the tournament, Woods confirmed that he will make a return to the PGA Tour but will be very selective as to which events he participates in. The timeframe for his return is unknown.
