GOLF

Tony Finau’s Brother, Gipper, To Carry Bag Next Two Weeks

Jul 27, 2020, 9:44 AM

Tony Finau focusing on putt Heber Valley...

Photo courtesy of Abigail Keenan for the Tony Finau Foundation

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Tony Finau parted ways with his longtime caddie, Greg Bodine, prior to the 3M Open last week. Bodine had carried Finau’s bag for six consecutive PGA Tour seasons, dating back to Finau’s debut 2014-15 season. At the 3M Open, in which Finau finished in a tie for third, Finau’s swing coach Boyd Summerhays carried the sticks.

Brotherly Love

According to Golf Week, Finau will have his brother, Gipper Finau, carry the bag for the next two weeks.

“I’ll go with somebody I’m comfortable with for the next couple weeks and maybe try somebody starting the (FedEx Cup) Playoffs, but somebody close to me. I’ll have my brother out the next couple weeks and I’ll make a decision after the PGA,” Finau said.

The next two tournaments are the WGC FedEx St. Jude Invitational in Memphis followed by the first major of the 2019-20 season, The PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park.

Puerto Rico Open Curse

Remarkably, not a single winner of the Puerto Rico Open, which was established in 2008, has ever gone on to win another PGA Tour event. Finau, whose lone PGA Tour win came at the Purto Rico Open in 2016 is still searching for his second victory on tour.

Finau has mustered 30 top-10 finishes without a win, the longest drought on the PGA Tour. Tommy Fleetwood is second on that list with 16.

“They don’t give out second-place trophies, third-place trophies, I’ve learned that the hard way with a lot of them coming early in my career, but I continue to just believe and hope for the best for my future,” Finau said.

Finau currently ranks 171 in the world when it comes to final day scoring. He entered the final round of the 3M Open two strokes behind eventual champion Michael Thompson before posting a final round 68, two shots off the lead.

“Like I said, with these major championships right around the corner, I’m really happy with where my game’s at,” Finau added.

Golf stories on sports.ksl.com are brought to you by Heber Valley Golf Courses.

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. 

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Tony Finau’s Brother, Gipper, To Carry Bag Next Two Weeks