ORLANDO, Fla. - Next week's Puerto Rico Open will be contested without its defending champion.Tony Finau earned his maiden PGA Tour victory last year in Puerto Rico, and as of last week he was still planning to head south to defend his title. But after a strong showing at the Valspar Championship took him to the cusp of a spot in the WGC-Dell Match Play Championship, he has opted instead to head to Austin.Finau finished fifth at Innisbrook to move to No. 70 in the world rankings. While only the top 64 players qualified for next week's WGC event, Finau expects to be first alternate after various withdrawals are processed. While it's not a guaranteed spot, Finau believes it's worth making the trip."I knew if I had an opportunity to play in match play, then I'll go," he said Tuesday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. "First alternate, it's an outside chance, but there's still a slim chance to maybe sneak in the field. I look forward to the opportunity if I do get to play, and if not then I'll take a week off and get ready for Houston."Henrik Stenson, Adam Scott, Justin Rose and Adam Hadwin have all indicated that they will skip next week's event at Austin Country Club. Rickie Fowler is reportedly still weighing his scheduling options, and should he withdraw he would be replaced by world No. 69 Si Woo Kim.Finau has never played in a WGC event, but his match-play credentials include a state amateur title in Utah. While he hopes to add to that next week, he likely would have remained committed to Puerto Rico were he further down the alternate list."Second alternate, just talking with my manager, I think we would've just gone to Puerto Rico," he said. "But being the first alternate, you don't want to not be there."
PGA Notes: Finau to skip title defense at Puerto Rico Open. ORLANDO, Fla. - Tony Finau is trading a chance to defend his title in Puerto Rico to be an alternate in a World Golf Championship.
Finau to skip title defense at Puerto Rico Open - newsok.com
Expected to be first alternate for the WGC-Dell Match Play, Tony Finau will skip his title defense in Puerto Rico with the hope of snagging a spot in the bracket in Austin.
Finau to skip title defense at Puerto Rico Open - USA TODAY
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tony Finau is trading a chance to defend his title in Puerto Rico to be an alternate in a World Golf Championship. All because of one putt. Two putts, actually. Finau closed with a Sunday-best 64 at the Valspar Championship and finished fifth, though it likely will be a
Tony Finau giving up title defense in favor of long-shot gamble
Tony Finau giving up title defense in favor of long-shot gamble He'll skip Puerto Rico Open on off chance of making Dell Match Play field
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tony Finau is trading a chance to defend his title in Puerto Rico to be an alternate in a World Golf Championship.All because of one putt.Two putts, actually.Finau closed
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Finau opts for WGC alternate over title defense. Expected to be first alternate for the WGC-Dell Match Play, Tony Finau will skip his title defense in Puerto Rico with the hope of snagging a
Finau to skip title defense at Puerto Rico Open | FOX Sports
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Tony Finau is trading a chance to defend his title in Puerto Rico to be an alternate in a World Golf Championship. All because of one putt. Two putts, actually. Finau closed
PGA Notes: Finau to skip title defense at Puerto Rico Open
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