Jackson Reid
Tony Finau is a professional golfer known for his unique style and being one of the most well-liked players in the game. Finau is a six-time PGA Tour champion and was a member of three Presidents Cup teams in 2019, 2022 and 2024. He is also a serial winner on tour and widely regarded as one of the most popular golfers. Finau is of Tongan and Samoan descent and was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He grew up with six siblings and practiced golf in his garage as a child, using a mattress as a makeshift golf net.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tony Finau |
| Occupation | Golfer |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Tongan and Samoan |
| Religion | Mormon |
| Family | Wife Alayna Finau, 6 children, brother Gipper, cousin to NBA player Jabari Parker and former NFL player Haloti Ngata |
| Awards | Six-time PGA TOUR champion, member of three Presidents Cup teams, two Ryder Cup teams |
| Other | Runs the Tony Finau Foundation, appeared in the Netflix documentary Full Swing |
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What You'll Learn
Tony Finau's golf career
Tony Finau is a professional golfer from the United States with an impressive career in the sport. He turned pro in 2007 at the age of 22 and has since risen to become one of the top players in the world. Finau is of Tongan and Samoan descent, making him the first person of such ancestry to play on the PGA Tour.
Finau's first major win came in March 2016 at the Puerto Rico Open, where he clinched the title in a sudden death playoff against Steve Marino. This win propelled him into the top 25 in the FedEx Cup standings. Finau continued his winning streak by qualifying for the first three majors in 2018, including his first Masters appearance, where he finished in a tie for 10th place despite dislocating his ankle the day before. In September 2018, he was named a captain's pick for the Ryder Cup by U.S. team captain Jim Furyk, and although the U.S. team lost, Finau finished with a 2-1-0 record and won his singles match over Tommy Fleetwood.
Finau's impressive performances led to further successes in 2019, where he was part of the U.S. team that won the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia. He also finished tied for 5th at the 2019 Masters Tournament alongside Francesco Molinari and Tiger Woods. As of 2025, Finau has accumulated six career PGA Tour victories, including three in 2022 alone: the Cadence Bank Houston Open, an unspecified tournament, and the Mexico Open. Finau's dedication to golf extends beyond his own game, as he has actively worked to make the sport more accessible to youth.
Finau's talent and likeable personality have earned him a one-match contract with the Los Angeles Golf Club (LAGC) in February 2025. He was brought in as a substitute for Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, who were unavailable due to prior commitments. Finau's excitement to join the team was evident in his statement, where he expressed his eagerness to be a part of team golf and his respect for his fellow players. Finau's addition to the LAGC family aligns with their efforts to increase the accessibility of golf to youth, a cause that he actively supports through his own foundation, the Tony Finau Foundation.
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Tony Finau's personal life
Tony Finau, born Milton Pouha Finau, is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. Finau is of Tongan and Samoan descent, the first person of such ancestry to play on the PGA Tour. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on September 14, 1989, and attended West High School. He won the Utah State Amateur Championship in 2006 and turned professional at the age of 17.
Finau's personal life revolves around his large family, his faith, and his dedication to golf. He and his wife, Alayna Galea'i-Finau, have been married since 2012 and have five children: Jraice, Leilene "Neenee" Aiaga, Tony, Sage, and Sienna-Vee. Finau often expresses his love and appreciation for his family on social media and through the media. He and his wife are both members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and their shared faith has been an important bond in their relationship.
In addition to his immediate family, Finau comes from a large family with five brothers and three sisters. He is also the cousin of NBA basketball player Jabari Parker and former NFL football player Haloti Ngata. Finau's brother, Gipper, is also a golfer who competed with Finau on the Golf Channel's The Big Break in 2009. Unfortunately, Finau experienced a tragedy in 2011 when he lost his mother in a car accident, which he often commemorates on Instagram.
Finau's dedication to golf has taken him across the country and kept him away from his family at times. However, his wife and children are often by his side during tournament appearances, and they were there to celebrate with him when he won the 3M Open golf tournament in 2022. Finau's success in golf has provided him with a platform to give back, and he runs the Tony Finau Foundation, an organization aimed at empowering youth and their families in the local community.
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Tony Finau's family
Tony Finaus is a well-known and well-liked golfer of Tongan and Samoan descent. He is the first person of such ancestry to play on the PGA Tour. Finau is a six-time PGA Tour champion and has competed in three Presidents Cup teams and two Ryder Cup teams. He has had several notable achievements in his career, including qualifying for his first Masters appearance in 2018 and finishing in a tie for 10th place, despite dislocating his ankle the day before. In 2021, he had a stretch of five weeks where he finished in the top 4 in all four tournaments he entered. Finau is also dedicated to giving back to his community and making golf more accessible to youth.
Finau comes from a family of athletes. His brother, Gipper Finau, made the cut in the Utah EnergySolutions Championship at the age of 16 but did not succeed as a tournament professional. He is also the cousin of NBA basketball player Jabari Parker and former NFL football player Haloti Ngata. Finau himself is a father to six children and is married to Alayna Finau. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and runs the Tony Finau Foundation, which aims to empower youth and their families in his local community.
Finau's father, Kelepi Finau, has been credited for his son's success and for instilling values of respect and kindness. Finau has mentioned that his father, along with his mother, Vena, taught him to be respectful and welcoming to everyone. This attitude has carried over into his interactions with fans and peers, earning him a spot on Golf Digest's list of "The Top 30 Nice Guys of the PGA Tour." In one instance, Finau visited a young woman whom he had accidentally hit with a golf ball, presenting her with flowers, chocolates, and a get-well card.
Finau's commitment to his community and his sport has made him a role model for many, especially those from similar backgrounds. He understands the impact he can have on others and embraces the opportunity to give back. Finau's success in golf, dedication to his family, and involvement in community initiatives demonstrate his well-rounded character and strong values.
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Tony Finau's golf equipment
Tony Finau is a professional golfer who has been playing with Ping—an equipment manufacturer—since 2016. He is a six-time PGA Tour champion and has also represented three Presidents Cup teams and two Ryder Cup teams.
In 2022, Finau had his best year, winning his third PGA Tour title at the 3M Open in Minnesota. He used the following equipment:
- Ping G425 LST (Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70TX shaft) driver, 9 degrees with 7 degrees of actual loft
- Callaway Rogue ST (Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 80TX shaft) 3-wood, 13 degrees with 12.5 degrees of actual loft
- Nike Vapor Fly Pro (Graphite Design Tour AD-DI Hybrid 105X shaft) driving iron
- Ping Blueprint Forged (Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 120TX shafts) irons
- Ping Glide 4.0 (Nippon N.S. Tour Only WV 125S shaft) wedges, 50 and 56 degrees
- Titleist WedgeWorks Proto 2022 (Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Wedge 125S shaft) wedge, 60 degrees
Finau continued his good form into 2023, with a victory at the Mexico Open. By 2024, he had improved his general play, with more Top-25 finishes than the previous year. That year, he was using the following equipment:
- Ping G430 LST driver, 9° (set to a big minus) with a Mitsubishi Diamana D+ Limited 70 TX shaft
- Ping S159 wedge, 50°
- Ping Glide 4.0, 56°
- Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto, 60°
- Ping PLD Anser 2 Prototype putter
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Tony Finau's fans
Tony Finau is a professional golfer who has had an impressive career, including six PGA Tour wins. Finau is of Tongan and Samoan descent and is the first person of such ancestry to play on the PGA Tour. He is also a six-time PGA Tour Champion and has represented the US in the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup.
Finau's journey to becoming a professional golfer is an inspiring one. Growing up in Rose Park, Utah, he witnessed many of his friends struggling with abuse, drugs, alcohol, and gang violence. Despite these challenges, Finau remained focused and determined to pursue his dream of becoming a golfer. He is now a role model for the youth in his community, using his platform to give back and make a positive impact. Finau runs the Tony Finau Foundation, an organization dedicated to empowering young people and their families.
In addition to his dedication to his community, Finau is known for his friendly and respectful demeanor. In a poll conducted by Golf Digest, Finau was ranked second in "The Top 30 Nice Guys of the PGA Tour." This is a testament to his character and the way he carries himself both on and off the golf course.
Finau's golfing prowess is evident in his numerous achievements. In 2018, he qualified for all four major tournaments, including his first Masters appearance, despite dislocating his ankle the day before. He finished in a tie for 10th place at the Masters and 5th place at the U.S. Open, his highest finish in a major tournament at the time. Finau continued his impressive form in 2021, finishing in the top 4 in four consecutive tournaments. He won the 2021 Northern Trust, beating Cameron Smith in a playoff.
Finau's success and dedication to the sport have gained him a dedicated fan following. For Tony Finau fans, his story serves as an inspiration that hard work and perseverance can lead to achieving one's dreams. His fans admire not only his golfing skills but also his character and commitment to making a positive impact on the world.
As a Tony Finau fan, you can follow his journey by watching his tournaments and keeping up with his latest achievements. You can also support his foundation and the work he does to empower the youth in his community. Finau's story is a testament to the power of resilience and the ability to overcome adversity. His fans can draw inspiration from his journey and continue to cheer him on as he leaves his mark in the world of golf.
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Frequently asked questions
Tony Finau is a popular American golfer of Tongan and Samoan descent. He is a six-time PGA Tour champion and is widely regarded as one of the nicest guys on the PGA Tour.
Tony Finau is known for his unique golfing style, which includes long-hitting. He practices with Ping golf clubs and Nike apparel and footwear.
Tony Finau is a Mormon and a family man with five children. He grew up with six siblings and was pushed into golf by his mother, Ravena. He is also a serial winner on tour, with six PGA Tour titles to his name.
Tony Finau is the first Tongan on the PGA Tour and has competed in every major tournament since 2018. He has won six PGA Tour titles, including the Puerto Rico Open in 2016 and the Northern Trust at Liberty National in 2021. He also finished 3rd in the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
