Tony Finau is known to be one of the most prolific golfers in America. Milton Pouha "Tony" Finau took a road less travelled on his way to rub shoulders with the best golfers in the world.

While attending West High School, Finau triumphed at the Utah State Amateur Championship in 2006, beating another future PGA Tour player, Daniel Summerhays, in the 36-hole championship match.

Finau's mother insisted that he attend West High School despite the absence of a golf team. Meanwhile, East High School had just won state titles in the sport across town. His mother fully supported his love of golf but wanted to teach her son a lesson in loyalty. This marked the beginning of Finau’s journey of doing things the hard way. However, the golf programme of West High School was revived, with Finau and his brother leading the team.

Finau had believed that college sports would be part of his future, but as he graduated, he received an offer he could not refuse. He was fronted a $50,000 stake by local business people to enter a made-for-TV exhibition in Las Vegas.

He performed well enough to win a significant cash prize when he participated in the event. However, the support he received during that tournament and the early stages of his professional career later became the subject of a legal battle between Finau and one of his backers.

At 17, Finau decided to become a professional golfer by accepting a cash prize, which meant he had to forfeit his amateur status. But this was only the beginning of his journey towards reaching the PGA Tour, and there was a lot of hard work ahead of him.

Tony Finau’s College

Finau was a talented golfer who decided not to accept athletic scholarships or attend university. Instead, at the age of 17, he chose to become a professional golfer and joined mini-tours to try and earn a PGA Tour membership.

Finau also competed in Canada's Mackenzie Tour, and after years of grafting, he finally earned his PGA Tour Card for the 2014/15 season. A powerfully built man, Finau epitomises the new breed of golfer, but it has taken him some time to be as assured on the course as he is today. To describe him as a natural athlete would detract from the hours and hours spent honing his craft.

Tony Finau’s Personal Life

Finau is an American citizen, but he has Tongan and Samoan roots. His father coached him and his brother in golf after they became fans of Tiger Woods following his 1997 Masters win.

Finau comes from an athletic family - his parents met at a co-ed volleyball tournament. They supported all his sports activities and did their best to ensure his success. Finau's first sport was the traditional Samoan fire-knife dancing.

Like many people from Salt Lake City, Finau is a devoted Mormon. He lives by the motto "Faith. Family. Golf", with faith being his top priority. Finau and his wife Alayna have four children and are actively involved in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.