Tony Finau involved in bizarre dispute with PGA Tour rookie in “wild scenario”

In a gripping showdown at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, tensions flared between PGA Tour pros Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti over who would take the crucial putt first. The dispute unfolded on the par-4 4th hole, as both golfers vied for an advantage in line and speed. After a tense stare-down and a lengthy deliberation lasting over three minutes, Tosti eventually took the putt, prompting NBC analyst Steve Sands to dub it a “wild scenario.”

PGA Tour rules official Mark Dusbabek was even brought in to discuss the prolonged discussion on The Golf Channel broadcast. Despite the intense standoff, both Finau and Tosti managed to sink their putts for two-putt pars, but the tension only escalated on the par-4 6th hole. With Finau positioned closer to the hole, he exercised his right to putt first, intensifying the rivalry between the two.

On-course announcer John Wood described the palpable tension between Finau and Tosti, noting another standoff on the 6th hole. Finau asserted his position by pointing at Tosti and walking away, prompting a wry smile from Tosti. The atmosphere between the two players was described as “icy” and “uncomfortable,” with tension thick in the air.

Wood highlighted a previous incident on the 5th hole, where Tosti’s celebratory fist-pumps after sinking a birdie putt only added to the animosity between the competitors. Tosti’s past controversies on the PGA Tour, including a forced withdrawal from the Korn Ferry Tour’s Boise Open due to a “disciplinary matter,” further fueled the narrative surrounding the contentious matchup.

Despite the drama, Finau initially held a two-shot lead in the tournament but faltered as the competition progressed, slipping to ninth place. With players like world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in contention, Finau faced stiff competition. Reflecting on his performance, Finau acknowledged his success in draining long-distance putts but lamented his eventual descent down the leaderboard.

In contrast, Scheffler remained a formidable contender, tied for the lead on Sunday following consecutive victories in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship. Stephan Jäger, Thomas Detry, and David Skinns also posed formidable challenges, remaining level with the world No. 1 as play continued in Houston.