Author: N
Tony Finau won the 73rd Provo Open finishing with a three day total of 64-67-65 —-196 for a score of 20-under par and a six shot margin. It didn”t feel that easy with Utah Section PGA professionals Zach Johnson, Chris Moody and amateur Mason Casper giving chase.
While Finau, taking a break from playing the National Pro Golf Tour, was wrapping up his first win in Utah since capturing the 2006 Utah State Amateur at Soldier Hollow, the battle for second place was heating up. Johnson, Moody and Casper all eventually finished T2 at 14-under par, 202 at East Bay Golf Course.
Starting the final round, Johnson seemed to be the likely contender to give chase for the large Provo Open crystal trophy. Johnson‘s second round 10-under 62 left him just two strokes off the lead and he was riding the momentum of a hole in one on the par-3, 17th from his opening round. Finau held off Johnson on the back nine which features three reachable par 5‘s, making birdies on 12, 13 and 16 but it was bonus birdies on the short but challenging 10th hole and the par-3, 17th that secured the win for Finau.
The highlight of the week for the tournament organizers was the Karl Tucker Foundation‘s golf clinic for 30 kids from the Utah Country Boys and Girls Club. Greeted by Golfzilla on the East Bay driving range, the kids were given putting, chipping and swing instruction from Utah Section PGA professionals Devin Dehlin, Kean Ridd and his East Bay staff, Utah Open defending champion Clay Ogden and two-time Provo Open champion Nick Killpack.
The Provo Open tournament committee expressed their appreciation for the support of the Utah Section PGA in conducting the clinic. For most of the kids, it was the first time they have been exposed to the game of golf, which would have put a big smile on Karl Tucker‘s face.