ACE IN PACK FINAU WINS A TONY AWARD FOR BRAVERY

TONY FINAU made his Masters debut yesterday despite damaging his ankle celebrating a hole in one in Wednesday’s par-three contest.

The American ran down the fairway after acing the 8th (near) but fell to the ground (middle) before appearing to snap his ankle back in place (far). He then limped back to the tee box. An X-ray revealed no broken bones for the world No.34 and an MRI scan yesterday morning gave him the all-clear to play despite soreness.

Before he started his first round, his manager Chris Armstrong said: “There’s no risk of additional damage so the plan is to play,”

The big-hitting Finau (right) leads the PGA Tour in driving distance at 321 yards and entered the Masters ranked eighth in the FedEx Cup thanks to two secondplace finishes this season.

Last year world No.1 Dustin Johnson, who had won his previous three tournaments, had to withdraw just before his tee-off time after damaging his back falling down stairs the night before the Masters.