Tony Finau One Shot Off Leader Entering Weekend At The American Express

Jan 22, 2021, 4:00 PM

Tony Finau walks along the ninth hole during the second round of The American Express tournament on the Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West on January 22, 2021 in La Quinta, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

BY TOM HACKETT, KSL SPORTS

KSL Sports

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Tony Finau sits just one back from the leader entering the weekend at The American Express.

Finau concluded his second-round with a six-under-par, 66, to enter the weekend at a combined ten-under-par and one shot back from the leader Im Sung-jae.

“You know that you are going to give yourself enough opportunities to score,” Finau said immediately following the round. “If you hit enough fairways you will get a bunch of looks, I was able to do that today. I actually missed quite a few putts but obviously a few went in as well so I thought 66 was a pretty good round today on Nicklaus (course).”

Finau’s round began on the 10th hole of the Nicklause course at PGA West. He strung three birdies together on 11, 12, and 13 before his only bogey fell on 15. He made the turn at two-under-par.

His back nine was when Finau started to heat up. Birdies on 1, 4, 7, and 8 dropped his round to six-under and in the hunt entering the weekend.

The shot of the day came on the par 5 fourth hole when Finau chipped in from the greenside bunker. It was a blind shot, considering Finau could not see the cut. His wedge skipped off the putting green once before dunking the bottom of the cup.

It's all about feel.

Tony Finau proved just that with this no-look dunk from the bunker. 🔥pic.twitter.com/zBJdh87Wbr

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) January 22, 2021

Finau has made a number of special shots over the previous two days. Yesterday, Finau chipped in to save par on the Stadium Course.

Furthermore, Finau is finding the fairway more often than not. His irons are being hit pure. His putting is currently what is separating him from leading the field.

Nonetheless, Finau has put himself in a position to compete at the highest level.

Finau has only one PGA Tour victory in his career. His lone win occuring in 2016 when he won the Puerto Rico Open. Since then, he has made many attempts at securing his second victory and has placed second in multiple tournaments. However, the second win still looms.