PGA Tour news: Tony Finau seals big win at Houston Open despite late jitters
- Planet Sport writer
- 14 November 2022
Tony Finau battled some late nerves before powering to a four-shot win at the PGA Tour's Houston Open on Sunday.
The win is the 33-year-old American's fifth on the PGA Tour, his third of the year, and his fourth in a little over two years.
Finau started the day four shots clear and extended that lead to eight thanks to four front-nine birdies, which prevented any real danger as he dropped three shots down the stretch.
Ultimately, his one-under-par 69 proved more than enough to get the job done, as he finished four shots clear of the chasing pack on a 16-under-par total of 264.
"It feels great," Finau beamed. "Honestly, on the first hole I didn't know if I had it in me today. It was one of those days where I just fought and fought.
"I made a lot of nice putts on the front nine to kind of calm me into things. I've never been in that position before, being with that big of a lead with nine holes to play."
Finau admitted that even though he was cruising eight shots clear when he made the turn on Sunday, nerves somehow still played their part in his three back-nine bogeys.
"A lot of new nerves, I would say," Finau said. "But overall as the round went on I felt better and I'm just happy to get a 'W' today."
Second place went to Tyson Alexander, whose 66 was one of the best rounds of the day, while England's Ben Taylor finished in solo third a further shot behind after a closing 70.
Both men were chasing their maiden PGA Tour victories.
"Great week for me," Alexander said. "I wish Tony would have taken the week off."
"I felt like I had my good stuff, and I can compete and try to win golf tournaments out here," he said.
World number two Scottie Scheffler finished in a tie for ninth after a final-round 67.
“The confidence when you win is contagious.”@TonyFinauGolf knows that hard work pays off 💪 pic.twitter.com/h1ru14dJ3I
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) November 13, 2022
