Jersey City, N.J – Tony Finau finally captured his second PGA Tour title after defeating Cameron Smith in a playoff at the Northern Trust at Liberty National Golf Club. Finau, 31, won his first PGA event in 2016 at the Puerto Rico Open.
“It feels amazing, it took just about everything I had,” Finau said immediately following the victory. “I fought really hard and it feels amazing to be standing here victorious right now.”
In the 1,975 days since Finau last won on the PGA Tour, he had eight runner-up finishes. Due to Hurricane Henri, the final round of The Northern Trust was played today, Monday, August 23rd.
Aussie Cam Smith began the day tied for the lead, and after a late charge making birdie on 16, and 17 he once again tied Finau for the lead. After Finau piped his drive down the center of the 18th fairway, his approach drifted right and into the greenside bunker. After his bunker shot, he left himself six feet to save par. Finau cashed in the putt and a playoff between the two ensued.
Finau went first and once again piped it down the middle. Smith was next, and within a moment the tournament was over – Smith blocked his drive OB right. After a provisional into the right fairway bunker, “it was all she wrote”. Finau hit the green with his approach, and two-putted for the title.
With the victory, Finau launched atop of the Fedex cup standings and secured his spot in the Ryder Cup at whistling straits.
Scores: https://www.pgatour.com/competition/2021/the-northern-trust/leaderboard.html
