Disaster for Tony Finau. (Ken Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Welcome to the Monday Leaderboard, where we recap the weekend’s notable golf stories. Grab an Arnold Palmer, settle in, and prepare for some cringeworthy moments…
1. Tony Finau’s Missed Tap-In
This is a tough one. During the Texas Children’s Houston Open on Saturday, Tony Finau found himself just three feet from the hole on the par-3 15th, poised to make a simple par. However, he missed the short putt, circling the rim of the cup, and then things got worse. Finau then attempted to tap in the remaining inch but left it just short.
He recorded a total score of 5 and could have even faced a penalty stroke for standing over the putting line. This is a mistake that hopefully he will learn from, especially since he finished T32—missing out on about $16,000 in earnings due to that costly miss.
2. Min Woo Lee’s Major Win
Facing Scottie Scheffler in the rearview mirror is no easy task, but that’s what Min Woo Lee managed as he held a five-stroke lead that dwindled to just one during the final quarter of the Houston Open on Sunday. Lee held his composure on the last hole, securing his victory with a par, narrowly keeping Scheffler and Gary Woodland at bay.
Amidst the tension, Lee even had a light-hearted moment as he inspected the green’s slope—though it serves as a reminder of how things can turn, as exemplified by Finau’s earlier misfortune. This win marks Lee’s first on the PGA Tour, establishing him as a future favorite.
3. Tosti’s Complaints About Pace of Play
However, not everyone appreciated Lee’s triumph—his playing partner Alejandro Tosti repeatedly voiced concerns over Lee’s slow pace. Indeed, the trio of Lee, Tosti, and Ryan Fox took an astonishing 30 minutes to complete the 8th hole as Lee deliberated on his shot. NBC cameras later showed Tosti lagging noticeably behind on the 12th hole, effectively delaying the group while Lee was fending off Scheffler’s charge.
Tosti finished T5, five strokes behind Lee.
4. Eugenio Chacarra’s Post-LIV Journey
Eugenio Chacarra enjoyed a successful stint in LIV Golf, but after not being re-signed, he found himself seeking a new tour. Unable to return to the PGA Tour, he switched to the DP World Tour, where he celebrated a two-stroke win at the Hero Indian Open on Sunday—marking his first victory since last August.
After playing for three years with Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC team, he decided against signing with another LIV team and pursued a path back to the PGA Tour, which may take him at least a year. “Winning on the PGA Tour changes everything; it provides major access and ranking points,” Chacarra explained last year. “On LIV, the outcome doesn’t change your life; it’s just money.” Achieving a top 10 on the DP World Tour this season would secure him a PGA Tour card.
5. Rory McIlroy Sets Masters Expectations
With The Masters just over a week away, Rory McIlroy is in the spotlight as he tries to: (1) win the Masters, (2) complete the career Grand Slam, and (3) claim a major title for the first time in over a decade. Following another strong season finish with a T5, he expressed a measured outlook about his game and elbow health.
“I still feel there are areas I need to improve,” he noted post-round. “My game isn’t quite where I want it to be, but having a week to work on things is beneficial.” Is this a precaution, or lowered expectations? Time will tell if McIlroy is prepared for Augusta.
Mulligan of the Week: Be Cautious Around Turtles
Golf certainly presents unique situations—not every sport involves encounters with wildlife. Caution is advised when dealing with any animals, even the slow ones. Viewer discretion: if you prefer not to see a turtle attending to nature’s business, you might want to skip this.
Coming up this week: Valero Texas Open (PGA Tour), Miami (LIV Golf), T-Mobile Match Play (LPGA, Las Vegas). And next week… azaleas await.
