Tony Finau’s victory at the 3M Open Championship on Sunday checked a lot of boxes for the likable PGA Tour star with Utah roots.
He expanded his own professional profile and scope. He also inspires a generation of Polynesian athletes. He has solidified his position as one of the top golfers in the world.
That’s the beauty of his come-from-behind victory in Minnesota last weekend. This victory increased his season’s prize money by 50%. He attended an event in Minneapolis last week and won $ 2.7 million in 20 events. This includes two runner-up finishes. His Sunday check was $ 1.35 million.
“The great thing is that he extends the tax exemption period for the PGA Tour,” said Bobby Casper, the host of Sirius Golf Radio, the son of the legendary Hall of Fame Billy Casper.
“With only his last two victories, he has been in the top 30 for over four years. He is also in the top 30 of the 17th place FedEx Cup and will be competing in the Tour Championship. It will put him in all the major championships of 2023. He also moved to 16th in the world golf rankings, jumped to 7th in the Presidents’ Cup rankings and rolled towards next year’s Rider Cup. . “
Casper predicts last week’s victory that if Finau needs a captain’s pick, he’s certain to play in the Presidents Cup. The top six on the list are guaranteed spots, and the next six players are captain picks. This allowed him to win two in the last 22 events.
“I think more will come,” Casper said.
Lila Galea’i and Kerstin Fotu, college students with BYU’s Polynasan tradition, seek inspiration from Finau. So far, we have provided textbooks on how to achieve in the games that athletes with a country club background usually enjoy.
Galea’i is currently Utah’s most dominant female player and aims to defend her state amateur title at the Ogden Country Club next month. Fot, whose father grew up in Tonga, the birthplace of her father in Finau, appreciates her humility and diligence in Finau’s example.
Finau’s victory is proud of both of these star athletes. Finau claims the heritage of both Tonga and Samoa.
Tony Finau, behind the center, will take a photo with his family after winning the 3M Open at the Tournament Players Club in Brain, Minnesota on Sunday, July 24, 2022. People from Utah inspire people in the Polynesian community.
Abbey Par, Associated Press
Galea’i knew Tony before he became a pro. He married her first cousin, Elena.
“So I’ve known Tony since they got married,” Galeai said. “He’s been in the family for a long time. He’s a very nice person, a person with a foot on the ground. It’s just amazing to see the impact he has had on the PGA and all of us. , Especially Polynesians.
“In general, he feels like he’s influenced all of us just because he’s gone. He talks about the way to reach the PGA. Without his example, I I am very grateful for his example because I don’t think many of us Polynesians have the opportunity to believe in themselves. He gives me especially because he shows that he especially believes in me. I think the support they have given me is very heartwarming. ”
Finau sent a message to Galeai to congratulate and comfort her after she won or lost. Such a connection is strong.
Fotu says that if most Tongas understand the poor situation of growing up deep inside the island like Tony’s father, he will understand how far he has come. Make sure it inspires her and provide a roadmap of what she can do, regardless of where she comes from.
Both Galea’i and Fotu are far from the tee. They have been a big story since youth golf and high school and are now successful in college. Fotu plans to join Galea’i in the state of Ogden and will play at the Utah Open in the Riverside Country Club.
“He makes me want to work harder,” Galea’i said.
“He inspired me. It was great to see him win last Sunday,” Fotu said.
“It’s great to see Tony succeed. He literally came from nothing and his dad did what he could to raise him to play golf. In general. For all Polynesian athletes and all Polynesian children, it’s pretty exciting to see what he’s accomplished. Maybe it’s like I think it might be. “
Joel Tuiarewa, a former bishop of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dongguan District, Utah County, remembers Tony’s father, Kalepi, who lived near him in Hawthorne, California. Tui Areba’s father was a bishop of Kalepi, and Tony’s grandfather Sione Finau was a temple worker at the Los Angeles Temple.
“These are Christ-loving people, humble, and work with faith and sacrifice. I am not surprised to see the sacrifices for Kalepi’s family, children, and Tony. Tony and Elena get married first. I remember appearing at Provo Temple every Tuesday because they were asked to visit each week by the stakes, “said Tuiareba of Hawaii, who attended the 50th alumni meeting in Kafukuhai. rice field. She is on the North Shore of Oahu.
“Tony is a great athlete and a great example. I knew his father and knew him better than Tony. Kalepi, like his brother, is a great athlete in Southern California. It was a great basketball (player). It’s very exciting to see Tony know the roots of his family and see him set an example with the guy who became him. These are good guys. I Are very happy and grateful to know such people. No Polynesian has been successful in basketball. Now you see them everywhere on every golf course.
“I love people, seeing my people doing so well through their diligence and faith. Tony has a lot of young people following him and he does good to them. I’m urging you. “
Rila Garai will face Berlin Long in the final round of the Utah Women’s State Amateur Golf Tournament at Oakridge Country Club in Farmington on Thursday, July 1, 2021. Garai won the 19th hole. Galea’i is looking at Tony Finau as a role model.
Christine Murphy, Dezalet News
