Tony Finau is reportedly closing in on a move to LIV Golf, potentially ending his 13-year PGA Tour career.
The 35-year-old made his PGA Tour debut at the 2011 Sony Open in Hawaii before earning full membership in 2015. Finau has since won six times, most recently, the 2023 Mexico Open at Vidanta.
However, strong rumours now suggest Finau to LIV Golf is “done” as the PIF eye a statement signing ahead of the 2025 season beginning in February.
Finau has since pulled out of the Hero World Challenge, which replicates Jon Rahm’s actions just before the Spaniard signed for LIV Golf in 2023.
With Finau’s time on the PGA Tour seemingly drawing to a close, The Golfing Gazette has taken a look at the five most significant moments of the Salt Lake City native’s career thus far.
Tony Finau breaks ankle at 2018 Masters
The 2018 Masters Tournament certainly proved eventful for Finau. After making a hole-in-one during the par-three tournament, the American dislocated his ankle whilst celebrating.
Amazingly, Finau went on to finish in a tie for 10th on seven under, eight shots back of the eventual winner, Patrick Reed.
After the first major of the year, Finau admitted he had to alter his technique to reduce the load on his injured left side.
“Normally, I’m not thinking about my belt buckle [position] or anything,” he said.
“I know that if I hit a good shot, I’m looking at the target with damn near 80 or 90 per cent of my weight on my left foot.” I had to open [up my left foot] and put the ball way back. I had to hang back and hit it off my back foot.”
Tony Finau has front row seat at 2019 Masters
A year later, at the 2019 Masters, Finau played alongside Tiger Woods during the final round at Augusta National.
Woods’ 15th major win will go down in history, and Finau was the man with the front-row seat.
After starting the day level with Woods, the 35-year-old failed to keep pace and eventually carded a level par final round.
Despite the disappointment, Finau acknowledged the fortunate position he was in that day.
“I had the pleasure and cool honour to play with him in the final group of the 2019 Masters. To be able to play against my idol in the final group at Augusta National was something special,” Finau said.
Tony Finau hits first shot at 2018 Ryder Cup
Finau’s performance on the PGA Tour and his rise in world rankings have made him a regular on the US Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams.
However, arguably, Finau’s most significant career moment came during the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National.
As a Ryder Cup rookie, Finau was the man to take the first shot in Paris as he and Brooks Koepka faced Jon Rahm and Justin Rose in the first match.
Clearly fired up, Finau smashed his 3-iron over 300 yards and nearly found the water on the testing dog-leg opening hole.
Tony Finau falls short at the 2024 US Open
Another big moment in Finau’s career came during the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst No.2.
Mid-way through the third round, whilst holding the lead, Finau made a bogey on the 12th before carding a triple-bogey seven on the par-four 13th.
The American would eventually finish two shots back of Bryson DeChambeau after carding 67 in the final round. Undoubtedly, Finau will look back and think about what could have been in North Carolina.
Tony Finau shines during 2022 PGA Tour season
2022, on the whole, was an impressive season for Finau.
Wins at the 3M Open and Rocket Mortgage Classic saw the American finally cement his position among the game’s elite players.
If Finau’s PGA Tour career is set to end, his wins in 2022 will undoubtedly go down as two of his most memorable.
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