Tony Finau was surrounded by protesters at a charity golf event in Utah on Monday, demanding that he pay off debts that are said to be “in the millions of dollars.”
Participants camped out for 2 1/2 hours outside Oak Ridge Country Club for Finau’s annual golf tournament and clinic. According to the Deseret News.
They claim they helped him on his path to stardom but have not been compensated in return.
“Keep your promises,” read one sign, while others said, “Tony, pay your debts,” “Tony, pay your family,” and “Tony, don’t forget Uncle Tor.”
“This is all about perceptions,” protest organizer Rocky Bowlby told the outlet. Bowlby claims Finau’s family owes him more than $100,000 in back mortgage, rent, car and airfare. “Nobody knows the real Tony.”
Finau’s rise to golf superstardom has led to him being the target of multiple lawsuits, with some alleging that the 34-year-old has failed to repay millions of dollars in debt.
He reportedly showed up about two hours after Monday’s protest began and gave the protest crew the cold shoulder upon his arrival.
Some of the signs posted Monday focused on Utah native Tony Finau’s Foundation and the Utah Sports Commission.
Bowlby said Finau owes money to more than 10 people, including former Utah football player Moroni Hola.
According to the paper, Hora, a family friend and former business partner, filed a lawsuit in 2020 seeking more than $600,000 for allegedly supporting the careers of Finau and his brother, The Gipper, from 2006 to 2009, before Finau became a member of the PGA Tour.
According to court documents seen by the Journal, he also seeks 20 percent of Finau’s lifetime winnings.
Finau has earned approximately $55.6 million in his career. From Spotrac.comThat means Hola is seeking more than $11 million in damages. An eight-day jury trial is scheduled for September, according to the Deseret News.
Another lawsuit in 2021 sued Utah County real estate developer David Hunter, but that case was dismissed by a district court a year later, the newspaper reported.
Hunter demanded the same 20 percent of his brothers’ income, plus repayment of a $495,000 interest-free loan. The report.
Finau had a successful professional career and made quite a bit of money.
CBS 2024 PGA Prize Money Rankings Finau’s earnings this year are $5,032,356.
