Tony Finau went for a 16-foot birdie on the par-3 ninth hole, the 18th hole of the day. He knew his personal record was at stake, but so was Memorial Park’s course record.
“I knew what it was for,” Finau said.
“I thought I’d give it a try. I wasn’t going to go short. I knew that. I hit a good putt, but it was just too low. I hit it hard enough that I thought I could hold the line I hit it. thought.”
It narrowly missed, and Finau, the Texas Children’s Houston Open champion, had to settle for an 8-under 62.
But it allowed him to skyrocket up the leaderboard, taking sole first place in the process.
“I just try to do it a little bit at a time. I’m not thinking about scoring too much in that situation,” Finau said.
“I knew I was near the top of the leaderboard and in contention with a few holes left, but my putter got hot. I hit some nice shots, but mostly putts from long range. “I chipped in for eagle on the 8th, and before I knew it, I was like, wow, I’m 8 under. So it’s strange how this game works, but I don’t think too far ahead. You shouldn’t.”
Finau struggled with his putting early in the season at Torrey Pines, but on Friday he looked like a wizard with his flat stick.
His first birdie of the day came on the par-4 13th, where he holed one from 10 feet. He easily made a two-putt birdie on the 16th. But the long-range bomb he hinted at came on his back nine, when Finau’s round went from solid to special.
Fourth place went to a 27-foot make. Two holes later, a 30-foot ball followed.
On the next hole, the par-3 seventh, Finau hit the center of the green for another birdie from 29 feet.
burning! ! ! !
Tony Finau scores an 8-under 62 and leads by 3 at 9-under!!
What a round!
Considering how tough the conditions are today compared to yesterday…it’s just incredible. #HoustonOpen pic.twitter.com/sXr1bmj7Eo
— PlayingThrough (@_PlayingThrough) March 29, 2024
He was on fire.
However, it was on the par 5 8th hole that Finau made a further challenge. I made an eagle Aiming to improve to 9 under par and win the championship.
Although he feels comfortable on this golf course, he knows there are many golf relics.
Asked about his thinking, Finau said: “Nothing has really changed.”
“I played some great golf the first few days and my game is in good shape. Just don’t overthink it. Get some rest, prepare properly and be well rested for the weekend.”
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
