Ryder Cup is my parents’ reward, says Finau

UNITED States rookie Tony Finau hopes playing in his first Ryder Cup is a suitable reward for the sacrifices his family made in order for him to become a professional golfer.

Growing up in Salt Lake City, Finau’s proficiency in the sport caused a problem for his Tonga-born dad Kelepi, who had to support a family unit of nine and could not afford to pay for his son to have lessons, a full set of clubs or even practice facilities.

He did what he could, buying individual clubs from charity shops, cutting them down to junior size and putting a mattress on the garage wall and strips of carpet on the floor so Tony and younger brother Gipper could hit balls.

Finau senior also borrowed Jack Nicklaus’ “Golf My Way” out of the library and began to coach his boys. Tony turned professional at 17 and after seven years’ toil on the mini tours he graduated to the PGA Tour and has not looked back.

“I think this is pretty cool for him for sure. I think he’s going to enjoy this week,” he said.

“My parents sacrificed a lot for me to be in this position. “My goals were their goals. My family is a big part of why I’m here, and they have given up a lot.

“I don’t have a golf background. My dad didn’t play and my grandpa didn’t play. Rugby was kind of their thing.

“The first time I got a set of clubs, I was nine, for free, from our pro from the par-three golf course.

“I used those pretty much all the way through high school.”