Tony Finau, a proud Tongan-Samoan golfer, represented Team USA at the Ryder Cups in 2018 and 2021, playing a key role in their victories. His path to six PGA Tour wins, however, was anything but easy. Reflecting on his humble beginnings, Finau shared powerful stories of his childhood, highlighting the sacrifices his parents made to support his dream.
In an episode of Straight Facts Homie, Trey Wingo and Tony Finau discussed inside the ropes of the Ryder Cup. That’s when the discussion steered off to Finau’s backstory and the adversities he faced as a young hopeful. “You look back on what got you there and the sacrifices that were made from your parents, the sacrifices you made yourself to achieve and accomplish something great,” Finau remarked on the emotions that flood in as you tee it up at the Ryder Cup. That incited the story of the “humble beginnings of how I learned to play golf,” as Finau noted.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Finau didn’t grow up with easy access to golf. However, his parents always cared about Finau’s love for the sport, making personal sacrifices to afford Finau’s dream. His father himself didn’t play golf. But, as the practice range for Finau and his brother, he converted the family’s garage into a driving range by hanging up mattresses and laying down carpets. This makeshift setup provided the now Ryder Cup veteran to practice his swings indoors.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
That earned Finau an edge, beginning at just the age of 8. Going over the specifics of the range, the 36-year-old revealed, “The mattress sat right in the middle of the garage. My brother and I started together, so we hit on each side simultaneously. My dad would walk around to one side to watch my brother hit, then come to the other side to watch me. But we could practice at the same time.” However, this comfortable setup for both the boys left barely any space for the garage itself.
This wasn’t exactly a comfortable setup, but that helped Finau perfect his shots. They duct-taped carpets on top of the merciless cement floor. Steep swings were painful, causing Finau to learn better swing mechanics. “We learned how to strike a golf ball off this. If we got steep, our hands would hurt because it was cement underneath. There were a lot of things we learned.” As Finau revealed, this wasn’t the only lesson this setup provided.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Even though his father wasn’t a golf expert himself, his contribution was undeniable. “He would spray paint right on the mattress where he felt a pitching wedge should go, where a seven iron should go, and how high a driver should be by the time we hit it. We became very visual players because of that,” the Ryder Cup veteran revealed. While monitoring the boys’ game, Finau’s father would spray paint on the mattress at different elevations where he believed certain shots should go to reach the desired distance. That helped the PGA Tour pro to have a unique, intuitive approach to the sport.
These humble beginnings showcase the passion the PGA Tour pro always had for the sport. Despite not having a family background in golf, Finau turned to studying the sport himself. The golf legend, Jack Nicklaus’ book ‘Golf My Way’, became the holy “Bible” for Finau. He admitted he learned everything from Nicklaus, from holding the clubs to swinging the drivers. This grounding experience instilled in him a deep sense of gratitude and responsibility. Inspired by the sacrifices his parents made and the support he received growing up, he launched the Tony Finau Foundation for the underprivileged communities.
The Tony Finau Foundation: Giving back to the community
Established in 2015 by Tony Finau and his wife, Alayna Finau, the Tony Finau Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization based in Lehi, Utah. Fuelled by his own adversities, Finau aims to serve the under-resourced masses. The foundation aims to empower and inspire the youth to develop, discover, and achieve their best gifts through education, wellness, and golf. As a part of his initiative, Finau established Learning Centres in West Valley City, Utah. These spaces provide educational programs, wellness resources, and community spaces for the underserved population. In early 2025, the TFF achieved 70% of its fundraising goals, with a staggering $750,000 collected.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In addition to the Learning Centers, TFF has launched several community-focused initiatives. “Birdies for Books” is a program designed to provide books to underprivileged children, promoting literacy and a love for reading. Alongside educational initiatives, the foundation has organized events like “Tony’s Turkeys”, providing Thanksgiving meals to families in need. “TFF + For The Kids” supplied meals to kids during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finau’s humble childhood, steeped in adversity, makes him appreciate the position he is in with the foundation today. Quipping on his ability to give back, Tony Finau remarked, “It’s a privilege to be in a position to give back, and one that I take pretty seriously because I know what it’s like… to be less fortunate, to be less privileged.” Through this foundation, Finau is setting an example for other golfers. Finau has proved that he is not only an exceptional striker but also a charismatic and philanthropic character.