Back-to-Back Wins for Tony Finau!

As Tony Finau tapped in his final shot at the 3M Open last week, he rounded off a delightful rule of three. It was his third PGA Tour victory, a three shot winning margin, and at the 3M Open no less.

It was also his third bogey of the week, signing off with a 6 on the par 5 18^th in Minnesota.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Tony Finau (@tonyfinaugolf)

Fast forward to the Rocket Mortgage Classic this week, and Finau has systematically destroyed the golf course and the field once again. A two week clinic in tee-to-green play, with over 70% of fairways hit, and 66 out of 72 greens in regulation (90%!!) this week.

He is 49 under par for his last nine rounds. He broke previous tournament scoring record at the Rocket Mortgage Classic with 26 under par.

2 wins in 2 weeks 🏆🏆@TonyFinauGolf is victorious @RocketClassic for back-to-back Ws. pic.twitter.com/qvpNeWib1B

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 31, 2022

Finau was joined by fiery Canadian Taylor Pendrith at 21 under par through 54 holes, before Finau pulled away on Sunday, carding a lone bogey for the week on the 11^th hole. Comeback efforts came from Patrick Cantlay, who played flawless golf in a Sunday 66, carding his tenth Top 10 of the season. Rookie Cameron Young continues to impress, securing his fifth runner up of the year with rounds of 63, 65 and 68 since his opening 71 on Thursday.

German Stephen Jaeger and Taylors Moore and Pendrith also gave chase – but they never came close.

A win is surely coming soon for a male Canadian golfer, who can mirror the success of recent major winner Brooke Henderson over on the LPGA Tour. We have seen more names on the leaderboard this season than ever before.

Going low in Detroit 🏆@TonyFinauGolf set a new @RocketClassic tournament record at 26-under par. pic.twitter.com/jKkKdMOnF0

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 31, 2022

Taylor Pendrith had recorded his two best finishes this season in consecutive weeks going into the Rocket Mortgage; at the Barracuda and Barbasol Championships in July, with a T11 and T13. Adam Svensson is sat in T9 position this week, as well as Adam Hadwin and Roger Sloan further down the leaderboard. Three more Canadian golfers are in the field who did not make the cut, including Mackenzie Hughes, who has notched a runner-up and a T4 this season already.

The question of ‘whose best is the best?’ circulates the professional game whenever someone is in a fine run of form. There have been several purple patches this season, notably Scottie Scheffler with four wins, but also the glittering consistency from Rory McIlroy.  Tony Finau now joins Xander Schauffele by achieving back-to-back victories this season.

“It means everything to me that my kids can watch me … “@TonyFinauGolf gets emotional after his win @RocketClassic. pic.twitter.com/DyBmEwqDOG

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 31, 2022

A four-shot margin to back up his three-shot win last week; he has the ability to make golf look ridiculously easy. It begs the question, why hasn’t he won more? He hits it long, straight, putts well, and doesn’t look fazed by others making a move around him.

He battled it out with Rory and Justin Thomas at the RBC Canadian Open in June, jostling for position with two of the world’s best, before coming second to Rory. He was 0 for 5 with 54-hole leads, but now, Tony has learned how to win. He was always one of golf’s nice guys but can now turn on the steely glare, fend off the best and get the job done.

Instead of looking at his past runner-up finishes, I feel he is focused on the future and hungry to continue adding to his win total.

Sporting his Sunday green in a nod to his mother and her favorite color, Finau has now recorded two consecutive victories and looks unbeatable.

Cover Image Via DetroitNews