'Knife Dance' Performer Pinau to Stay on PGA Tour

LIV Golf Transfer Rumors Denied as False
Hero World Challenge Absence Due to Injury

‘Knife Dance’ Tony Finau (USA) will remain on the PGA Tour.

Tony Pinau

Although there were rumors of a move to LIV Golf after ‘Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods (USA) declined to participate in the PGA Tour event Hero World Challenge (total prize money $5 million), he denied them. In a phone interview with Golfweek on the 4th (local time), he said, "The transfer rumors are just rumors. I like playing on the PGA Tour. I’m looking forward to next season," adding, "I also plan to participate in the season opener next year held in Hawaii."

The reason for not participating in the Hero World Challenge is due to injury. Finau explained, "My left knee, which underwent cartilage removal surgery last month, has not yet healed." He said there is a 50% chance he will compete in another event, the Grant Thornton Invitational (total prize money $4 million), which will be held for three days starting on the 13th. Since appearing in the Presidents Cup last September, a competition between the United States and Europe excluding the rest of the world, he has not participated in any tournaments.

There were widespread rumors that Finau would accept an offer from LIV Golf, which is recruiting top players for next season, and transfer. Finau’s LIV Golf transfer rumors also surfaced around this time last year. At that time, only Jon Rahm (Spain) moved to LIV Golf, and Finau remained on the PGA Tour.

Ranked 26th in the world, Finau is a strong player with six PGA Tour wins. Standing at 193 cm and weighing 90 kg, his powerful long drives are his strength. His ancestors are from the South Pacific island nation of Samoa, and he has a unique background of making a living by performing the knife dance as a child.