Tony Finau Ends Travelers Championship Day One With Three Consecutive Birdies
Jun 25, 2020, 5:52 PM | Updated: 5:57 pm
Tony Finau of the United States plays his shot from the 18th tee during the first round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 25, 2020 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Remarkably, local PGA Tour member Tony Finau is eight shots off the lead despite shooting a first-round score of two-under-par during the first round of play at the Travelers Championship.
Canadian Mackenzie Hughes currently holds a three-shot lead over the rest of the field after a first-round score of 60, 10-under par. His round consisted of 10 birdies and zero bogeys.
The trio of Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Victor Hovland sit in a tie for second at seven-under-par.
Finau sits in a tie for 58th, still in the mix to make the cut depending on how his second round plays out.
Finau found himself one-under at the turn, however, shortly after, a double bogey on 14 set him back into the positive. However, Finau ended his round with three consecutive birdies on 16,17 and 18 to gain valuable momentum heading into Friday.
BANG. 3 straight birdies for Tony. Great way to end his round🐦🐦🐦
He shot 68(-2) today, and is currently T57
— Tony Finau Tracker (@tracker_tony) June 25, 2020
Since the return of the PGA Tour three weeks ago, Finau is yet to miss a cut. A strong Friday performance is required from the Salt Lake City native to best secure yet another weekend spot in the field.
Finau hit 79 percent of fairways during the opening round with an average driving distance of a whopping 317 yards, his longest clocking in at 359 yards. He hit greens in regulation on 88 percent of the time and averaged 1.8 putts per green.
🐦🐦🐦 finish! 190 Ball speed ain't bad huh b_dechambeau 👀😂 pic.twitter.com/F9Ke8VfNQh
— Tony Finau Golf (@tonyfinaugolf) June 25, 2020
Finau will tee off at 5:45 a.m. on Friday alongside Victor Hovland and Justin Rose.
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Tom Hackett is a Utah and Real Salt Lake Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.
