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SALT LAKE CITY — It would seem that Tony Finau’s mini-slump is over.
Finau, who currently resides in Lehi, came into this weekend’s Open Championship having missed three straight cuts — a stretch that included a disappointing showing at the U.S. Open.
There wasn’t a lot for Finau to be disappointed about following Thursday’s first round at Royal Portrush in North Ireland.
The Utah native shot a bogey-free 68 to finish in a tie for third at 3-under-par. Finau is in a group that is two shots back from opening round leader J.B. Holmes. Ireland’s Shane Lowry is in second at 4-under.
He's scheduled to tee off at 7:48 a.m. (MDT) on Friday.
It was a nice return to form for Finau, but one that wasn’t unexpected. Finau has competed well in The Open ever since his debut in the tournament in 2016. He hasn’t finished lower than 27th; last year he ended up in the top 10, finishing the weekend in a tie for ninth.
According to Justin Ray of 15th Hole, a golf analyst site, Finau entered the tournament with a 70.42 career scoring average in The Open Championship — that is the second-best average of any player with 12 or more rounds played since 2010.
He improved on that average on Thursday. Finau birdied hole No. 4, and then started the back nine by birdying two of the first three holes. He finished the round with those three birdies and 15 pars.
Finau, though, isn’t alone near the top of the leaderboard — not by a long shot.
In total, 41 players shot under par in the opening round. While only two golfers shot better than Finau, he’s tied with 13 others at 3-under.
Finau will play Justin Rose and Lucas Bjerregaard on Friday.
