Tony Finau made headlines at the Texas Children’s Houston Open with a late and devastating 4-putt on the 15th green at Memorial Park. This incident occurred in Round 3 as Finau was making his way into contention for his first win of the season on Sunday. After trading birdies for bogeys, a string of red numbers would have put him in a good position, but his putting performance on the 15th hole dashed those hopes.
Finau’s tee shot on the 122-yard par-3 landed on the back of the green, setting up what should have been a routine two-putt for par. However, his first putt left him with just 3 feet, 8 inches to secure his par. Unfortunately, he missed the short putt, and it only got worse from there as he ended up with a double-bogey 5 on the hole. While he managed to recover with birdies on the next two holes, it was not enough to salvage his chances of winning the tournament.
Looking at how PGA Tour pros typically perform on short putts, Finau’s 4-putt becomes even more glaring. The Tour average for putts made from 3 feet stands at 99.54%, with Finau’s make percentage slightly higher than the average. However, his missed 3-footer on the 15th hole cost him dearly. From 5 feet, the Tour average drops to 81.2%, with Finau ranking below average at T146 on Tour with a 73.33% make percentage from that distance.
The embarrassing 4-putt on the 15th green was a rare and unfortunate event for Finau, who is a six-time PGA Tour winner. His short miss and subsequent struggles with the putter not only dashed his hopes of winning the tournament but also highlighted the pressure and challenges that come with professional golf. Despite his ability to bounce back with birdies on the following holes, the damage was already done, leaving him 12 shots behind the leader.
Finau’s putting performance on the 15th hole drew attention from fans and analysts alike, with many questioning how such a talented player could struggle with short putts. While his overall putting statistics are solid, the 4-putt showcased the fine margins and mental fortitude required to succeed at the highest level of professional golf. The incident serves as a reminder of how unpredictable and cruel the game can be, even for seasoned pros like Finau.
In conclusion, Tony Finau’s 4-putt on the 15th green at Memorial Park during the Texas Children’s Houston Open was a shocking and costly mistake that ultimately took him out of contention for the tournament. Despite his ability to recover with birdies on the next two holes, the damage was done. The incident highlighted the challenges of professional golf and the fine margins that can separate success from failure on the PGA Tour. Finau’s short miss serves as a cautionary tale for all golfers, showcasing the importance of mental resilience and consistency on the greens.
