PGA TOUR
Cadence Bank Houston Open
Finau The Lone Star In Texas
Tony Finau scored an impressive wire-to-wire victory at the Cadence Bank Houston Open. Halfway through Sunday’s round, the 33-year-old American got out to an unassailable eight-shot lead. The world No. 15 eventually won by four shots and now boasts five PGA Tour titles. Finau’s recent form shows he has learned how to get the job done. The Arizona resident managed to reach the winner’s circle on just one occasion from his first 188 PGA Tour starts. The strong win in Texas is his fourth title from his last 30 PGA Tour events. The brilliant stretch ties him with the reigning FedExCup champion (Rory McIlroy) and PGA Tour Player of the Year (Scottie Scheffler) for the most in that span.
America’s Tyson Alexander secured solo second place after draining a birdie putt from 32 feet at the final hole. England’s Ben Taylor was outright third.
Finau took control of the event on Friday when he produced a stunning 8-under 62 at Memorial Park Golf Course to match his lowest career round on the PGA Tour. The 10-birdie round moved him to 13-under and four shots clear of the field heading into the weekend. Finau managed to maintain his four shot advantage through 54 holes after posting a 2-under 68 on Saturday to get to 15-under. The bogey-free third round was just the second time in his 748 career rounds on the PGA Tour he found every fairway off the tee for the entire day. Finau signed for a 1-under 69 on Sunday to finish the event at 16-under.
Little known Alexander, aged 34, fired a superb 4-under 66 final round to get to 12-under. With his second place finish, the world No. 320 eclipsed his previous best finish on the PGA Tour (T44 at the 2022 Butterfield Bermuda Championship).
Taylor recorded his first PGA Tour career top 10 result. The 30-year-old finished in third place one shot further back at 11-under after producing an even par final round.
Jason Day was the only Australian in the field. The 35-year-old carded all four rounds in the 60s with 69, 69, 69 and 68. The 2015 PGA champion finished at 5-under and in a tie for 16th place. Day has enjoyed three top 16 results this PGA Tour season from his five starts.
The PGA Tour moves to Georgia for next week’s The RSM Classic to be staged at Sea Island Golf Club. Talor Gooch will be unable to defend his title from 12 months ago due to signing with LIV Golf.
Final Scores
Cadence Bank Houston Open
1. Tony Finau -16
2. Tyson Alexander -12
3. Ben Taylor -11
T4. Trey Mullinax -8
T4. Alex Smalley -8
T4. Alex Noren -8
T7. Adam Hadwin -7
T7. Aaron Rai -7
Australian
T16. Jason Day -5
Photo credit: Carmen Mandato /Getty Images
