Tony Finau looks to continue ‘good vibes’ at 3M Open
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Tony Finau of the United States plays out from a bunker on the 16th hole during the second round of the British Open.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LOS ANGELES – Tony Finau recorded three consecutive top-10 finishes before missing the cut at the British Open last week, and he will be seeking to regain his form on July 25 when he competes at the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota.
The tournament is the penultimate event before the PGA Tour’s FedExCup play-offs begin in Memphis. The top 70 players in the standings qualify for the first leg.
That will not be a problem for Finau, who enters the week in 15th place. Prior to the British Open, he pieced together strong performances at the Memorial Tournament (T8), US Open (T3) and Travelers Championship (T5).
But he then carded a 10-over 81 on July 19 at Royal Troon in Scotland to miss the cut. That score was due in large part to a triple bogey on the front nine and a quadruple bogey on the back.
“Yeah, the game feels pretty good,” Finau said on July 23.
“I didn’t have the result I wanted last week. That second round was playing extremely difficult... I played bad. I just hit a couple bad tee shots that cost me lot of shots, which it can do in links golf.
“Overall, I’ve had a nice run over the last month and just hope to continue that good form into this week.”
TPC Twin Cities traditionally has been kind to the American, who highlighted a stretch of five straight appearances by winning the tournament in 2022 and recording two other top-10 finishes.
In 2022, he erased a five-stroke deficit with 11 holes to play to finish at 17-under 267.
“I love being here. It’s a golf course that I really enjoy and seems like I’ve grown quite a cool fan base here, so I love coming back and playing in front of them,” added the 34-year-old.
“All good vibes any time I’m back here in Blaine and I’m looking forward to another hopefully memorable week here.”
Finau finished tied for seventh at the tournament in 2023, nine strokes behind winner Lee Hodges.
“Yeah, I just remember Lee playing incredible golf all week. I was in a position to try and catch him on the weekend and any time I made a run, I just remember him making birdies right behind me,” he said.
“I just know I had a solid week, but Lee was a deserved champion for his first win here last year.
“And I know he’s back this year to defend, so we’ve got a nice field at the 3M this year and I’m looking forward to the competition.”
REUTERS
