Finau Delivers Late-Stage Ace to Make Cut at Valero Texas Open
Tony Finau produced a pivotal moment late in his second round at the Valero Texas Open on Friday, sinking a hole-in-one to move inside the cut line and keep his tournament hopes alive.
Tony Finau had fallen to 1-under for the event following three consecutive bogeys on the back nine at TPC San Antonio. With the projected cut at 2-under, Finau required a significant shift in momentum. He found it at the par-3 16th, where he holed an 8-iron from 199 yards. The shot landed on the green and rolled ten yards before dropping in, prompting a visible reaction of disbelief and celebration.
It marked the 35-year-old’s third career ace on the PGA Tour and came at a crucial moment. Finau went on to par his final two holes, carding an even-par 72 to finish at 3-under—one stroke clear of the cut.
“It was really timely,” Finau said after the round. “I was leaking oil kind of coming in and really shooting myself in the foot on a chance to play the weekend, so it was a huge shot at the right moment.”