Tony Finau is 17 and Gipper Finau is 16. But the brothers from Salt Lake City believe they are ready for the golf big-time and have decided to turn pro.
The brothers will make their professional debuts in the The Ultimate Game at Wynn Las Vegas, an independent tournament that requires players to pay a $50,000 entry fee and pays the winner $2 million. The event begins on Tuesday at Reflection Bay Golf Club in Henderson, Nev.
The Finaus have impressive junior and amateur records, but it is very rare for male golfers to turn pro so young. Tony Finau won the Utah State Amateur last year and was a member of the U.S. Junior Ryder Cup; Gipper Finau is the youngest player ever to make a cut on the Nationwide Tour, doing so at last year's Utah EnergySolutions Championship.
Some other top amateurs turning pro:
- Esther Choe, 18 and the reigning American Junior Golf Association Player of the Year, announced earlier this month she was turning pro. She had committed to attending the University of Arizona, but UA golf coach Greg Allen told the Arizona Republic, "Esther called me on April 14 to tell me that after playing in the Kraft Nabisco Championship and playing with Morgan Pressel and talking with Morgan's grandfather, that she felt it was in the best interest of her family to turn professional."
- It's not unusual for top collegiate golfers to turn pro following their sophomore seasons. The top player to announce that intention so far is Taylor Leon of Georgia, the SEC Freshman of the Year in 2006 and Player of the Year in 2007.
Comments
Who knows, maybe these kids will make it. But as for the Finaus, it should be required by law that any male golfers that young have to talk to Ty Tryon before turning pro.
I think the Finau brothers are ready. I have seen them many times in Utah, and have the physical and the mental game.
What this…. Yes they are too young to turn pro but they have the game to win some serious money. No Ty Tryons here.
GO get em lil cousinz lol