Tony Finau was grouped with Adam Scott and eventual champion Scottie Scheffler for the first two rounds of the 2022 Masters, and after the first 36 holes at Augusta National Golf Club he knew that Scheffler would be rocking the green jacket come Sunday.
The two have gotten to know each other well over the last few years as members on the PGA Tour and teammates on both the U.S. Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams, and ahead of this week’s 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open, the defending champion Finau was asked what impresses him most about the world No. 1. Finau spoke about Scheffler’s talents on the course and his positive reputation off of it, but the best part of the answer was a story he told about the first time the pair played together.
“The first time I played with Scottie, I didn’t really know who he was because he was a rookie on the PGA Tour and I played with him at TPC Boston,” said Finau, remembering the 2020 Northern Trust. “We’re playing together and after nine holes I think he shoots like 7 under or whatever. I’m not really paying attention, kind of focused on my own game. We got to No. 17 and he makes another birdie. I look over to my caddie and I’m like, ‘Man, this guy’s got to be 8 or 9 under,’ and my caddie’s like, ‘How about 11?’”
“So anyways, he birdies the last hole to shoot 59,” laughed Finau. “I knew he was a good player. But anyways, that was the first time I played with Scottie, he shot a 59 at TPC Boston and I knew he was special from that moment on.”
Imagine being so locked into your own round that you don’t even realize your playing partner is on track for a sub-60 day. Only Scheffler could shoot a quiet, efficient 59.
Finau will start his title defense at 1:53 p.m. ET on Thursday alongside reigning U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark and Si Woo Kim.