Two strokes with two holes to play weren’t enough for Tony Finau Sunday at the frenzied Phoenix Open.
A two stroke lead evaporated in what seemed like the blink of an eye, sending golf’s loudest and most heavily-attended event into a playoff that ended with yet another clutch birdie putt from former U.S. Open and Player’s champ — Webb Simpson.
In the end, Finau just couldn’t match the deadly clutch putting of Simpson, who holed one from just inside 18 feet to force the playoff then ended it with another from 12 feet in overtime.
And that appears to be Finau’s Achilles Heel — putting. He putted well most of the week but when it mattered most, he didn’t.
Finau is incredibly accomplished and well-liked, he’s ranked 13th in the world yet his victory resume is malnourished with one skimpy win coming in the 2016 Puerto Rico Open — one of those unhallowed opposite-field tournaments. Over the past two seasons, he’s had six runner-up finishes. Sadly, the latest came at the TPC Scottsdale on the first playoff hole.
This one should never have gotten to a playoff. Finau was locked-up with Simpson in a nail-biter down the stretch, it had turned into a two-man race when Justin Thomas (65), Bubba Watson (66) and Nate Lashley (68), all came up short at 14-under.
Finau stood on the par five 15th tee box with a one shot lead over Simpson — he was 17-under, Simpson 16. Finau hit a massive, perfect tee shot. Simpson then hit a big hook that found the water left of the fairway. Simpson would make bogey and Finau had a nice birdie putt from inside eight feet to make it a three-shot lead. Tony missed that putt and it would prove to be the huge factor down the stretch.
Both players parred the 16th, surrounded by nearly 20,000 well-lubricated fans. At 17, Finau’s downfall and Simpson’s uprising began. Simpson looked over an 18-footer for birdie then absolutely buried the right-to-left breaker, dead-center. Finau made par. At 18, Webb’s drive was perfect and from 123 out, he got his approach to 12 feet. Finau’s monster drive ended up in the first cut, just 83 out and he hit a gem inside nine feet.
Of course Simpson buried his for birdie to tie Finau at 17 under. All Tony needed was the short putt for victory. But just as he had at 15, he missed again. Playoff! Finau shot one-under par 70, Simpson two-under, 69, on a day when the final group found birdies more scare than Super Bowl tickets.
The playoff was very predictable after both found the green in regulation when Simpson got his approach to 10 feet and buried a third straight birdie for his sixth PGA Tour win.
It was a tough one to swallow for Finau. He had originally committed to play in Saudi Arabia but had a change of heart. His family just moved to Phoenix, about 10 minutes from TPC Scottsdale.
“It’s a bitter week as I look back on it. But man, lots of stuff to be learned,” Tony lamented. “I had a chance, a great chance to win this week. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen, but my game’s better than it’s ever been. I have more confidence now than I’ve ever had. And again, if you know anything about me, I’ll persevere through anything. If you want to say this is a stumbling block or whatever it is, to chase this next one, but I’ll knock it off soon and will be on my way.”
As for Simpson, who moves now to No. 7 in the world rankings, his experience and ability to close out a win showed.
“It was a gut check for sure,” Simpson said. “I felt like it was a good setup for me playing 18 over and over. Tony played awesome. He’s gonna win a lot of tournaments.”
Sure, Webb, Tony’s gonna win a lot of tournaments.
The only question is:
When?
6 Comments
RM
Impressive playoff for Simpson.He seems like one of those guys who flies a bit under the radar, He doesn’t usually seem to be part of the pre-tournament chatter about favorites, but is a very, very good player who is eminently capable of a win in any tournament. Not necessarily a player you want to be in a dogfight with over the final holes.
Tom Edrington
Spot on, RM; Once Webb adjusted after the belly-putter ban, he’s done quite well; Tough, tough guy out there as we saw last Sunday!
baxter cepeda
Webbs putter is on my mind more than Tony’s mind or anything else in the aftermath of Scottsdale.
How did Webb get so good at putting after the ban?
He found a way to anchor again.
The biggest help of anchoring, the part that makes it cheesy— in being able to lock one or both wrists.
Webb is clearly able to lock the left and as a result the right is easier to lock as well. Just like with belly putters Webb is able to get the read from his overly involved caddie, then Webb locks it in and forgets it…like the old infomercial. Set it and forget it.
Meanwhile Tony is in the midst of that eternal struggle of controlling ones wrists while playing golf under pressure.
I truly believe the usga made a mistake allowing anchoring to the elbow. Tony made some nice putts, that long one for par followed by a long birdie which put him back on top. But without that anchoring help it gets tougher and tougher to make putts down the stretch; unless your Tiger…or anchored.
I mean if Rickie putts like that to beat a Tony you have to tip your hat, but it’s hard to feel that watching Webb putt well like that.
That being said Tony can learn from Webb how to turn over a few more stones… finau already has a mix of 5 putting grips but maybe anchoring is the answer.
It always seems to be for Webb.
baxter cepeda
Now, I don’t want to sound like I’m not a Webb fan. Clearly Webb deserves a lot more credit than I give above.
Aside from putting style thing, Webb’s success clearly comes from Mamba mentality. It is very easy to appreciate Simpson and his teams methodical hard work finding ways to get it done. Webb also goes about things in a very classy fashion.
Just had to add that.
Tom Edrington
Webb now a top 10 guy but still probably one of the tour’s most under-rated
Tom Edrington
Agreed on all points Baxter…..great observations!!