Tony Finau Looking To Become Third Player With Utah Ties To Win A Green Jacket
Nov 11, 2020, 11:22 AM
Tony Finau of the United States walks up a fairway during a practice round prior to the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on November 11, 2020 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Most golf fans in Utah will be turning on the television every morning and wondering where Tony Finau is positioned, and rightfully so. Finau has the best chance of a player with Utah ties winning the Green Jacket.
But, if Finau were to win The Masters he would not be the first. Rather, many professional golfers with ties to Utah have had success at Augusta National in the past.
Finau is looking to become a first-time Major champion. History would suggest that for Finau to win the 2020 Masters Tournament he will likely have to do so in a playoff setting. Both Weir and Casper won green jackets after beating their competitors in a playoff.
The final chance to prepare. #themasters pic.twitter.com/RQqmLk3RBT
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 11, 2020
Mike Weir
The only other player in this year’s field that has ties to Utah is the 2003 Masters champion, Mike Weir. Masters Champions are invited back every year, hence why Weir will be in the upcoming Masters field for the 21st time in his career.
Since 2000, Weir has made the cut 11 times adding 2 top 5 finishes, 2 top 10 finishes and 6 top 25 finishes.
#Masters Countdown: 12 – Years ago that Mike Weir became the first left-handed player to win the Masters. pic.twitter.com/g1PUaS3JLK
— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) March 28, 2015
He attended BYU from 1988-92.
Billy Casper
Casper passed away in 2015 at the age of 83 in his hometown of Springville, Utah. He was the first person with Utah ties to win a green jacket after he defeated Gene Littler in the last 18-hole playoff in 1970.
During his illustrious professional career, Casper managed to win on 71 occasions. His first professional victory came at the Labatt Open in 1956 and his final victory came in 1975 at the First NBC New Orleans Open.
Remarkably, Casper won at least one PGA Tour event every year for 16 consecutive years. He holds the third-longest streak only behind Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer who were able to achieve the feat for 17 consecutive years.
In 1978 Casper was inducted into the World Golf Hall Of Fame.
Finau Firepower
Final day of preparation🔥(Images via Jamie Squire/Getty)📸 pic.twitter.com/54zzGBPdmA
— Tony Finau Tracker (@tracker_tony) November 11, 2020
Finau is currently ranked as the 17th best golfer in the world according to the Official World Golf Rankings and has only participated in two Masters Tournaments prior to this year.
However, in 2018 he finished in a tie for 10th and in 2019 a tie for 5th. Furthermore, in 2019 Finau played in the final group alongside eventual champion Tiger Woods.
How much did he learn playing in the final group alongside arguably the best to ever do it? Only time will tell.
