These 3 overlooked players could thrive at Royal Troon
2. Tony Finau
For a while now, it has felt like a when rather than an if regarding Tony Finau's major championship breakthrough. Yet, the clock is ticking, and the 34-year-old is still searching for glory. Having placed top five in all four of the majors at least once in his career, Finau has gotten a taste of what it takes to compete on a Sunday in the spotlight. He has all the tools in the world to win one; it seems as though he solely lacks the mental fortitude that is required on the back nine of a Sunday.
Troon is a shotmakers' paradise, demanding what Finau excels at: approach play. He ranks third in the field in strokes gained on approach shots in the last 24 rounds. The greens at Royal Troon are minuscule (and some of the smallest on the Open rota); requiring precise iron and wedge shots for 72 holes. When he struggles, the putter is almost always to blame. It would not be surprising if the slow, meandering links greens help his flat stick catch fire.
Finau has consistently been most comfortable on links-style courses, as he ranks third in strokes gained in Open Championships since 2010. The two players above him? Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, who each have a Claret Jug of their own. The embodiment of what it means to be a family man, it is time people start taking "Big Tone" more seriously. A major championship would do that and more.