Tony Finau Collapses Down The Stretch, Post +3 In Opening Round At The Masters
Apr 10, 2025, 3:07 PM | Updated: Apr 14, 2025, 1:25 pm
It’s that time of year again in Augusta, Georgia, as the 89th edition of The Masters is officially underway.
Utah’s own Tony Finau will be participating in his eighth Masters and will look to finally break through after several close finishes over the years.
First round hole locations. #themasters pic.twitter.com/NcS7syaSS4
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2025
First Round For Tony Finau In The 89th Masters
Front Nine
Tony started his round strong with a par and birdie on the first two holes, getting the early jitters out of the way.
However, holes three and four meant trouble for Finau.
On the third, he hit his drive 310 yards, just short of the green on the right, but his approach shot skipped right off the putting surface and down the other side. He still had up and down or par but was unable to sink the 9-foot putt, taking bogey on the hold.
On the par 3 fourth, Tony was putting his second but would end up three-putting to post a second consecutive bogey.
He would par the fifth but would continue going in the wrong direction on the sixth. On the par 3, Tony’s tee shot fell short and ended up rolling off the front edge of the green. His second shot was a chip that got away from him and went off the back side but was only seven yards from the pit, allowing him to get up and down for another bogey.
Tony was +3 through six, but he would end up pulling it together and finishing the front nine strong.
On the par 4 seventh, Finau crushed a drive 302 down the middle, giving him 142 in, which he stuck to two feet. Tony would sink the putt for a birdie.
He parred the eighth, and then another perfect drive and approach shot on the ninth led to a seven-foot birdie putt.
Despite a roller coaster, Tony Finau was even at the turn.
Back Nine
The better part of the back nine was smooth sailing for Finau.
He parred each of the first six holes on the side, maintaining his even score as he came into the clubhouse, and it seemed, after a rocky start, that he would finish the round unscathed, but that would not be the case.
Finau’s tee shot on the par 3 16th just flew the water don’t he left side of the hole but landed on the slope next to the bunker and rolled back into the lake. He put his drop on the green and gave himself a 22-foot putt for bogey that he just missed on the left side of the hole. He would end up taking double-bogey.
Next, on the par 4 17th, Tony had another great drive and approach, leaving him a 25-foot putt for birdie, but he would push that putt eight feet past the hole. He would miss that eight-footer for par and take bogey on the hole.
Tony Finau parred the 18th, finishing his opening round at +3 after a disaterous final stretch.
Finau is currently at T-66 and will have some work to do in order to make the cut tomorrow.
Justin Rose is currently in the lead at -7 through 15.
Tony Finau In Past Masters
2025 makes this year’s Masters Tony Finau’s eighth.
His first go at Augusta National was in 2018, where he broke on the scene, finishing T-10.
The next year in 2019 was Tony’s best finish in the tournament at T-5. He also posted his best-ever round at Augusta National, a 64 on Saturday.
Since then, Fianu has had a hard time staying in contention for when Championship Sunday rolls around. In 2021, he finished T-10 once again, but in every other year, he hasn’t touched the top 25.
Last year in 2024, Tony finished the worst he ever has at The Masters at T-55 and is looking to bounce back this year.
Despite some tougher years at Augusta, Tony Finau has made the cut in all seven Masters that he has participated in, which is an accomplishment in and of itself.
