Just before the first round of the U.S. Open wrapped up near dusk Thursday night, a heartwarming three-act play involving Tony Finau broke out on the 18th hole.
Finau wasn’t playing his best golf Thursday, arriving at the last hole 6-over par, when he suffered a stroke of bad luck. Finau’s 202-yard approach shot hit a sprinkler head and bounced high into the grandstands to the left of the green, startling and nearly hitting a spectator.
When Finau made his way to the stands, the fan tossed the ball to him. Finau immediately threw it to a young fan in the stands.
Tony Finau turned an unlucky bounce into a wholesome moment with a fan. ????
???? Peacock | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/ksqQfvS4kV
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) June 12, 2025
Did the gesture bring Finau good karma?
Yes, but not immediately. After a free drop, his pitch onto the green rolled 41 feet past the hole. But he promptly drained the putt to save par.
Finau will have his work cut out for him to make the cut Friday, but at least he take take solace in the fact that he made a young fan’s day and perhaps turned his own luck around.
