Tony Finau: "We should have our own rulebook on the PGA Tour"

PGA Tour pro Tony Finau said members are finally making a stand after he made a fast start to the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities.

Ben Smith

27 Jul 2023

Tony Finau: "We should have our own rulebook on the PGA Tour"

Tony Finau lauded the PGA Tour for taking a stand against plans to rollback the golf ball in the immediate aftermath of making a strong start to defending his title at the 3M Open.

Finau made what he later described as a 'blazing start' on the back nine at TPC Twin Cities and was 5-under after his first four holes.

His fast start included a stunning eagle at the par-5 12th with the big American reaching the green in two strokes.

After ripping an approach from all of 282 yards Finau drained a 49ft putt for eagle.

"I would have shot 53 I think if I had continued on the round I was going," Finau said. "Not quite the case".

Finau was asked by a pool of reporters about the memo PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan sent to players before this tournament began.

The under fire boss told the membership a compensation fund will be set up to compensate those who remained loyal and didn't bolt to LIV Golf.

Monahan also confirmed the PGA Tour wouldn't support the Modal Local Rule propositioned by the R&A and USGA to limit how far the golf ball can travel in elite competition from 2026.

"While the PGA Tour is committed to collaborating with - and all industry partners - to arrive at a solution that will best serve our players, our fans and the game at all levels, we are not able to support the MLR as proposed," Monahan wrote.

Read the full memo here

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Finau said:

"I would say the main thing is that the PGA Tour is taking a stand on the rollback of the golf ball. I think that that's important, setting a precedent moving forward hopefully.

"You know, my opinion has always been that we should have our own rulebook on the PGA Tour and we should abide by those.

"Seeing that they're taking a stand when it comes to rolling the ball back, I thought that that was one of the main things I got from the memo."

It wasn't just Finau who was supportive. Billy Horschel too, lauded the stand after he too carded an opening 66.

"I'm very happy that Jay's back. I think we all respect Jay and understand he's done a 2 tremendous job for the PGA Tour in his tenure as commissioner," Horschel said.

He added:

"Kudos to Jay and to the PGA Tour to taking a step forward and trying to be more transparent going forward. Like I said, that's what they've mentioned to us and that's what they want to do.

"Obviously they want to get our input because at the end of the day we are part of the Tour.

"I don't think it's a member-run organization, I've said that many times.

"I think it's a member-input tour, but we're a part of the tour and they want to make sure that our voices are heard as well."

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