LOCAL ATHLETES

Tony Finau Drains Putt On 16th Hole, Honors Kobe Bryant With Celebration

Jan 31, 2020, 12:58 PM

Tony Finau pretends to shoot a basketball while wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey on the 16th green duri...

Tony Finau pretends to shoot a basketball while wearing a Kobe Bryant jersey on the 16th green during the second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on January 31, 2020 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

(Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Utah native and PGA Tour professional Tony Finau sank a long putt on the 16th hole while wearing a No. 8 Kobe Bryant Lakers jersey.

After he nailed the putt, Finau did a basketball shooting motion to symbolize Bryant’s career.

Finau sank the putt just outside of the green to give him a birdie on the hole and putting his score to -5.

Bryant and 8 others tragically died on Sunday morning in a helicopter crash in Southern California.

Finau wore the jersey for just the 16th hole. Before he teed off on the hole, the crowd was chanting “Kobe” as Finau was encouraging the chant. The Rose Park native finished the second round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open five-under par. For the tournament, he is currently tied for fourth place at seven-under par.

Growing up, Finau has been a big fan of Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers despite being from Utah.

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Tony Finau Drains Putt On 16th Hole, Honors Kobe Bryant With Celebration