THE 153RD OPEN

July 18, 2025

Tony Finau

Mixed Zone

Q. What would you say about these two first days here?

TONY FINAU: It was good. I played nicely today after the bogey start. I played really clean and hit a lot of good shots. Anytime I was out of position, I was able to find my way back to the fairway and salvage some nice pars. I thought on this golf course it was a good start.

Q. There's been some interesting situations with caddies here this week. Can you tell us who's your caddie and when you made the decision?

TONY FINAU: Yeah, Colin Byrne is my caddie this week. He's obviously a very well-known caddie. He caddied for Retief Goosen for many years and had a lot of success with him. But being on this side of the pond, he's from Ireland so it's pretty cool to have him on the bag, knows this golf course pretty well, and he's definitely been helpful the first two days.

Q. How did that happen? How did you hook up with Colin?

TONY FINAU: Well, he came pretty highly recommended when I was looking for a guy here this week. I can see why. He's got a lot of experience, veteran caddie. He's been on the Tour for many years. I know caddied -- also caddied on LIV. So he's been around the block and caddied for a lot of great players. I thought he'd be a good fit for me this week.

Q. What is it that fits your eye with links golf? How did you become good at this?

TONY FINAU: Well, I like working the golf ball and I don't mind playing it on the ground. I think it gives you that opportunity on a links golf course. In the States, the game is kind of played in the air. How far can you fly it, how much can you spin it. The golf courses there ask you for that.

These courses ask you for shot making, creativity, and I'm able to kind of dig back into my creativity a little bit and play shots that I normally wouldn't be able to play in the States. It's pretty fun.

Q. Obviously you did really well in 2019, top 3. Obviously this golf course gives you great memories here. I take it from the memories of six years ago it's given you a good plan ahead to this week?

TONY FINAU: Yeah, no doubt, it does. But I will say I'm playing the golf course a lot differently than I did in '19. I don't know if -- the conditions, I think, are a little bit different, but I'm hitting a lot of different clubs off the tee. I'm a little more aggressive. This year I'm hitting more drivers than I did in '19.

But that's just the way I'm playing and the way I see it right now. But it is nice to come back to a golf course you've had some success and had a nice finish. We're looking to get two spots better than last time.