Tony Finau Confronted By Protesters Who Say He Owes Them Millions

Tony Finau arrived at Oakridge Country Club in Farmington, Utah, on Tuesday to play a round of golf. What he saw instead was a shock.

Groups of people who claim Finau owes them money for helping him become a pro golfer held signs that read, “Tony, Be Honest,” “Tony, You’re a Fraud,” “Tony’s Foundation or Fraud,” and “Tony — Be Honest With Your Fellow Man.”

Main protest organizer Rocky Bowlby told Deseret:

“This is all about awareness. No one knows the real Tony.”

Finau comes from very little. It was revealed in his special episode on Netflix’s Full Swing that he grew up in a rough neighborhood of Salt Lake City where many kids ended up in gang life. Finau’s father kept him and his brothers inside their house, practicing sports. During the 2019 Masters, where Finau was in the final grouping with Francesco Molinari and eventual champion Tiger Woods, commentators talked about Finau’s childhood clubs, which were purchased for less than $1 a piece at a local Goodwill.

🚨🪧💰 Protestors stood outside the gates at Utah’s Oakridge Country Club yesterday for over 2 hours as Tony Finau hosted his annual tournament. Some individuals claim Finau owes them millions, including Molokai Hola who says he’s owed $600K and 20% of Finau’s career earnings.… pic.twitter.com/7ktwKe3IqD

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 30, 2024

But some of the families who claim they helped Finau reach the PGA TOUR by financing things like travel, lodging, and other expenses from 2006 to 2009 believe they can get what they want from the golfer without the courtroom. Others are seeking payback through lawsuits and want millions.

Various lawsuits have already been filed and dismissed. However, one is expected to go to an eight-day jury trial in September. Any talk of an out-of-court settlement “fizzled,” the report said.

Cover Image via PGA TOUR