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SALT LAKE CITY — Tony Finau knows a thing or two about carrying a banner for a region. The Lehi resident is already arguably the best golfer to be born and groomed in the state. With that, comes with an added responsibility — that he's happily taken on.
"It’s more of responsibility to me as younger generations look up to me not only as a player, but as a person,” Finau said last month. “Hopefully, they admire what I do on the golf course, off the course, and maybe pattern what they do off some of the things I do.”
So Finau might know a little of what Ireland’s Shane Lowry is feeling this week at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
Yes, Northern Ireland and Ireland are two different countries, but Lowry — who hails from Clara, Ireland, less than a four-hour drive from Royal Portrush — has been adopted as the hometown hero this week. That's something he seems to have used for added motivation for some inspired play.
Lowry shot an 8-under-par 63 during Saturday’s third round to take a big lead into the final day of the championship. Lowry is sitting at 16-under, four shots better than second-place Tommy Fleetwood.
Lowry’s magical round put a lot of separation between him and the rest of the top of the leaderboard — a group that includes Finau.
Finau shot a 3-under 68 Saturday and will head into the final round in a tie for eighth place at 7-under — nine shots back from Lowry. Finau had three birdies on the front nine, and then ended his round by eliciting cheers on No 18.
.@tonyfinaugolf gives the fans at 18 something to cheer about #theopen
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2019
Live scoring 👉https://t.co/eQjasgPOwfpic.twitter.com/LmPr4PHfUH
Finau flopped a shot onto the green from about 50 yards, out and that trickled into the hole for a birdie.
It was a spectacular way to finish Saturday's round, and now the Rose Park-native will be hoping for some chaos on Sunday to move up the leaderboard even more. He might get some help from the weather, too. Tee times for the tournament have already been adjusted to try and avoid inclement weather in Sunday's forecast.
Finau has twice placed in the top five at major championships, most recently at this year’s Masters.
