Lehi resident Tony Finau made clutch putts on each of his two tours of the 18th hole, as he and partner Matt Kuchar earned a total of one point for their two ties on the third day of the Presidents Cup.
Finau fought hard to give himself and Kuchar a tie in a fourball match at Royal Melbourne Golf Club with International golfers Beyong Hun An and Adam Scott. He birdied the last two holes Friday (Saturday morning in Australia), helping the U.S. team come back to within 10-8 entering the final day’s play.
Finau again was paired with Kuchar in the afternoon session, opposing Joaquin Niemann and An in the alternate-shot format. The Americans had a 2-up lead after 13 holes, but ended up tied. The International duo had a chance to win on No. 18 after Niemann’s great approach shot out of the rough to within 6 feet. But An missed the birdie putt and Finau made a par putt to maintain the tie.
The American duo would have lost in the morning, if not for Finau’s matching An’s birdie on No. 17 and then making a 7-footer for the tie on No. 18, after Scott missed a winning attempt from 9 feet.
Finau had played well alongside Bryson DeChambeau in a fourball match in the opening round, although they lost 2-1 to An/Scott. Finau then sat out the second-round foursomes matches in captain Tiger Woods’ lineup.
The West High School graduate won two par-3 holes with birdies Friday, but he and Kuchar fell behind when An birdied the par-5 No. 15. Finau had lipped out a tying birdie attempt on No. 11, flipping his putter in a mixture of surprise and disgust, but he came through on Nos. 17 and 18.
The Presidents Cup will conclude with singles matches Saturday. Finau is now 3-3 in international competition, counting the 2018 Ryder Cup in Paris.
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