Pinau's 'Runner-up Mystery'... Already the 8th Since First Victory

4 Years and 11 Months Since 2016 Victory: 2nd Place Jinx, Consolation Amid 'Fragile Mentality' Criticism with "Reached the Threshold of Victory"

Tony Finau is disappointed after missing a putt on the 14th hole of the second sudden-death playoff on the final day of the Genesis Invitational. Pacific Palisades, California, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It’s a mystery.

This is the story of Tony Finau (USA). Since his first victory, he has experienced the misfortune of finishing as runner-up for the eighth time. On the 22nd (Korean time), at the Pacific Palisades Riviera Golf Course (par 71, 7,322 yards) in California, USA, he fought a fierce playoff against Max Homa (USA) in the PGA Tour Genesis Invitational (total prize money $9.3 million) but ended up on the losing side. He was satisfied with the prize money of $1,013,700 (1.12 billion KRW) and moving up to 6th place in the FedEx Cup rankings.

He expressed regret, calling it a "sweet but bitter taste." Since winning the Puerto Rico Open in March 2016, he has finished second eight times over 4 years and 11 months. Particularly at the 2018 World Golf Championships (WGC) HSBC Champions, he started the final day with a 3-stroke lead but faltered with a 1-under-par round, allowing Xander Schauffele (USA) to force a playoff, where he was ultimately defeated. In the 2021 season, he also finished runner-up twice already, at the Farmers Open on the 31st of last month and the European Tour’s Saudi International.

Finau debuted on the PGA Tour in 2015 and won his first title the following year at the Puerto Rico Open. Standing at an imposing 193 cm and weighing 90 kg, his powerful long drives are his main weapon. Ranked 13th in the world, he has competed at the highest level, participating in the 2018 Ryder Cup and the 2019 Presidents Cup. Over seven years, he has played in 168 tournaments, finishing in the top 10 thirty-seven times, and his total career earnings have surpassed $20 million ($22,299,431).

His iron shots and short game skills are also excellent. However, slipping at the threshold of victory has become a ‘habit.’ Golf commentator Brandel Chamblee pointed out, "Given his level of play, it’s really unbelievable that he hasn’t won more." He added, "When he gets nervous, his swing tends to speed up," and analyzed, "A short backswing causing a faster swing leads to mistakes." Finau has not escaped criticism for having a "weak mentality."

At the Genesis Invitational, he did not miss a single putt within 3.3 meters over 22 attempts in 27 holes, but missed a 2.3-meter birdie putt in the first playoff hole and a 3-meter par putt in the second playoff hole. Finau said, "Since I was young, my goal every time I enter a tournament has always been to win, and that hasn’t changed." He comforted himself by saying, "Reaching the threshold of victory means I’m making good shots," and "I just hope to break through and win as soon as possible."