Golfers never seem to stop tinkering.
Last season we saw many of the top players make small, or dramatic changes, to their game, with one or two, such as three-time major winner Jordan Spieth receiving much comment from social media users.
One of the most popular members of the PGA Tour, Tony Finau, took five years between his first and second tour victories but made up for it in 2022, when going back-to-back at the 3M Open and Rocket Mortgage Classic and then winning again in Houston just 10 weeks later.
In the best shape of his career, the 33-year-old led the tee-to-green stats for both his wins, finding a staggering 16.5 and 14 shots on the field respectively, whilst he was also into double figures for his latest victory.
Top that with his best-ever putting spell, positive figures for all but two of his last 15 completed starts, and Finau might finally achieve what many have believed he could do for a few years.
With that in mind, there was always going to be plenty of comment when he recently posted a video on his Instagram account, showing what looks like a dramatic swing change.
Golf writer Mark Harris was one of many that tweeted the video, asking why a player with three wins, two runner-up places and four further top 10s would amend his stance and swing.
Is Tony Finau going thru a swing change?
Seems odd given how great he’s been the last handful of months.
Three wins and two other Top 10’s in his last seven starts. pic.twitter.com/FPPeSosaZz
— Mark Harris (@itismarkharris) January 3, 2023
Interesting.. pic.twitter.com/zv63AP9R7S
— Travis Fulton (@travisfulton) January 3, 2023
Maybe Finau is trying something new for this week’s Tournament of Champions, an event he has never got to grips with, with just one top-10 on debut his best from three outings but, as Dan Rapaport tweeted, he certainly seems happy enough with life and may not be as worried as some fans that commented on the clip.
Tony Finau organized a Finau vs. Summerhays two-day family match. They played 18 at the Bay Course yesterday after Tony practiced…and they’re doing it again today after Tony’s pro-am.
That’s a 27-hole and a 36-hole day before the tournament starts. Tony Finau is a golf guy. pic.twitter.com/Bx4LkOo1fb
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) January 4, 2023
With that weight of expectation off his shoulders, Finau can now look forward to stepping up at the majors.
It all looks like a decisive move by player and coach Boyd Summerhays. With The Masters arriving in three months, he has already been well backed to at least match his two top-10s and a best of 5th at Augusta.
