Tony Finau Shoots Even Par First Round At Genesis Open

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Tony Finau shot even par during his first-round at the Genesis Open, he sits five shots behind the leader Mathew Fitzpatrick entering the second round.

Hot Start

Finau began his quest for a second career PGA Tour victory on the 10th hole and immediately fired three birdies through the first four holes. However, a bogey on the 16th par 3 had him at two-under-par when he made the turn to the first tee.

He immediately responded to the mishap on 16 with a birdie on the dangerous first hole, he was tied for the lead at three-under-par through the first 10 holes.

🚨71 today for Tony

11 out of 18 greens in regulation
11 out of 14 fairways hit
-3.246 strokes gained putting

Currently 5 back, T48

— Tony Finau Tracker (@tracker_tony) February 18, 2021

Slow Finish

Unfortunately, holes two and three were not kind to Finau. He made a double-bogey on the rather simple par 4 2nd hole and bogeyed the par 3 3rd hole to bring him back to even par.

Finau rattled six consecutive par’s to finish his opening round at even par.

He remains five shots behind the current clubhouse leader Matthew Fitzpatrick who shot an opening round of 66.

Par at 8. Misses 7 foot birdie on 9, makes par.

Completes round at E

— Tony Finau Tracker (@tracker_tony) February 18, 2021

Finau’s Form

Finau entered the Genesis Open in terrific form after finishing in second place at his previous two tournaments. He is swinging the golf club well and hitting the ball pure. Learning to close and finish tournaments is what has held Finau back in his career thus far and is something he continues to strive for and work on.

“It is all about winning, I know sports is all about winning. I am now at that point in my career where that’s what I am chasing,” Finau told reporters a few weeks ago.

Closing out the California swing in LA! 🎬@thegenesisinv pic.twitter.com/0dPqjFsVoU

— Tony Finau Golf (@tonyfinaugolf) February 17, 2021

Finau returns to Riviera Country Club tomorrow afternoon where he will begin his second round alongside Francesco Molinari and Sung Kang at 1:05 p.m.

The Genesis Open and Finau have a long/hate relationship with one and another. This year will mark the fifth consecutive year that he has participated in the tournament. He debuted in 2017 when he missed the cut, in 2018 he tied for 2nd place, in 2019 he finished in a tie for 15th, and last year he finished in a tie for 51st.