Tony Finau slips back on moving day at Masters

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SALT LAKE CITY — Tony Finau went the opposite direction on moving day at the Masters.

The 32-year-old West High graduate shot 2-over-par 74 Saturday to finish tied for 26th and 13 shots off the lead Saturday at Augusta National Golf Club.

Perhaps out of contention, Finau did himself few favors, backsliding three spots from a precarious position following Friday's cut-down day. Meanwhile, 36-hole leader Scottie Scheffler continued to blitz the field, leading second-place Cameron Smith by three shots at 9-under and 18-hole leader Sungjae Im by two more.

Finau opened his round with a three-putt from eight-feet out to bogey No. 1, but pulled it back with a 20-foot birdie putt on the par-5, 575-yard second. But another bogey on the par-4 seventh and the par-4 ninth dropped him well out of contention before an even-par back nine.

A birdie at No. 17 lifted Finau to 4-over on a day when only seven golfers finished below par, including Scheffler, who continued to run away from the field at 9-under and three shots up on second-place Smith.

Scheffler was hardly unbeatable after shooting his back-breaking 67 Friday. But he didn't need to be — and every time he faltered, he recovered, carding six birdies with five bogeys to stay atop the leaderboard with a 1-under 71.

"He made the course look really easy. But guys do that when they are playing really well," Finau told Real Golf Radio. "It's really impressive to see what he has been able to do. He didn't miss a shot; and when he did, he got away with it."

Finau finished the day tied for 26th, but just three shots outside of the top 10 — a spot he's held three times in his four previous Masters appearances. A good day on Sunday, when temperatures are supposed to be significantly warmer than Saturday's brisk weather that combined with wind to send golfers and patrons alike shivering, is in the cards.

"I've got a couple of good ones in me," Finau said. "I'm going to need some low ones, but you never know what is going to happen on this golf course."