Tony Finau
A golfer of immense power and Polynesian heritage who broke through for major victories after years of near-misses.
Born 1989 (age 37)·American professional golfer·Birthday: September 14·Millennials
Biography
Tony Finau's journey to the top of professional golf is a tale of raw power, patience, and cultural pride. Born to parents of Tongan and Samoan descent, he grew up in Salt Lake City, where he learned to generate astonishing clubhead speed—and later, a devastating hook—while hitting balls into a mattress in his garage. His physical gifts were obvious, but his early career was marked by heartbreaking close calls, including a dislocated ankle celebration after a hole-in-one at the 2018 Masters. Critics wondered if his gentle demeanor masked a killer instinct. Finau answered them emphatically, securing his first PGA Tour win in over five years at the 2021 Northern Trust, then capturing his maiden major at the 2022 PGA Championship. With his long drives and ever-improving short game, he has cemented himself as a pillar of the modern game and an inspiration across the Pacific Islands.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Tony was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Tony Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Tony's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2022 PGA Championship at Southern Hills, securing his first major victory.
- Represented the United States in the Ryder Cup in 2021 and 2023, contributing key points for the winning team.
- Captured the 2021 Northern Trust, his first PGA Tour victory since the 2016 Puerto Rico Open.
- Finished in the top 10 in all four major championships during the 2018-2019 season.
Did You Know?
He is a distant cousin of fellow professional golfer, Kelepi 'KJ' Finau.
Finau and his younger brother, Gipper, learned golf by hitting balls into a net and a mattress in their garage.
He is fluent in Tongan and often speaks it with his family.
He dislocated his ankle celebrating a hole-in-one during the Par-3 Contest at the 2018 Masters but still played in the tournament.
“I've always believed that my time was coming. I've worked too hard for it not to.”
