Tony Finau Three Shots Back Entering Weekend After Putting On Second Round Clinic At The Masters

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Tony Finau has concluded his second round at The Masters after shooting a six-under-par round of 66, he is in a tie 4th.

Finau was firing on all cylinders, he hit 10 from a possible 14 fairways, 10 from a possible 18 greens in regulation and averaged just 1.33 putts per green. A significant improvement from just a day ago.

Front Nine Magic

After a par on the first, Finau hit a mammoth 346-yard drive on the par 5 2nd. His approach left him with 8 feet for eagle, which he drained. Immediately, Finau was back to even par after shooting a two-over-round yesterday.

He then birdied 6, 8, 9, and 10 to catapult up the leaderboard and find himself one shot behind the leader Justin Rose.

Tony Finau is seven under today after a birdie on hole No. 15. #themasters pic.twitter.com/2GOZXOaltc

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2021

Amen Corner

His first bogey on the day came on the tricky par 3 12th hole after he hit his tee shot over the back of the green and into the rough. He putted from off the green but trickled his birdie attempt 10 feet past the cup. His par attempt missed above the cup by an inch.

He concluded Amen Corner at one-over-par, after pushing a very makeable birdie on 13.

But he was able to regain his composure and return to his birdie ways. He made back-to-back birdies on 14 and 15. He nearly made his second eagle of the round on the par 5 15th after trickling his putt down the slope and millimeters next to the cup.

Bogey On 18

Unfortunately, Finau found the bunker on 18 and proceeded to spray his second shot short and right of the 18th green. A beautiful bump and run left Finau with 4 feet to save his par. However, a tentative and uncomfortable stroke from Finau resulted in a bogey on 18. His second bogey of the round.

Finau was striking the ball as well as he has in over a month. After starting the 2021 PGA Tour season on fire, Finau entered a slump after his missed cut at The Players Championship, his first missed cut since August. He then struggled at the WGC Dell Technologies Match Play event and was unable to qualify for the weekend. His final tournament prior to The Masters was the Valero Texas Open, where he missed the cut again.

And another! Three birdies in a row for Tony Finau to get to T3 -4, one shot from the lead as he heads to Amen Corner.#TheMasters #UtahGolf pic.twitter.com/iInuutzupV

— Fairways Media (@FairwaysMedia) April 9, 2021

Improved Conditions At Augusta

On Friday at Augusta National, Finau found his form again. His driver was finding fairways, which led to far more comfortable approach shots and more greens in regulation. His putter, which has traditionally let him down throughout his career, began to warm up as the round went on.

Fortunately, conditions on Friday were far better than they were on Thursday. Playing earlier in the morning was an advantage for Finau as the course was playing much softer. The greens were softer, and Finau was able to attack pins all day. He had multiple holes in which his approach shot landed, and stopped, within 5 feet of the cup. Yesterday that was not possible.

Tee times and pairings for Saturday’s round will be announced later in the day.

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