Tony Finau Skips Masters 2023: Why the Utah Golfer Opted Out
The 90th Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia is set to commence without one notable participant: Tony Finau. For the first time since his debut in 2018, Finau will not compete in this prestigious event.
Tony Finau Skips Masters 2023: The Reasons Behind His Absence
Finau, a seasoned golfer from Utah, currently ranks 111th in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). To qualify for the Masters, players must be within the top 50 or have secured a win on the PGA Tour in the past year. Unfortunately for Finau, he has not achieved either and thus will not participate.
Finau’s Recent Struggles
Over the last year, Finau has faced significant challenges on the PGA Tour. His last top-10 finish was at the Genesis Invitational in February 2025. His performance at the Valero Texas Open just before the Masters revealed a faint glimmer of hope but ultimately ended in disappointment. Finau tied for 49th place, earning $24,676, and needed a win to extend his consecutive appearances at majors to 34.
Last year, Finau’s absence from the Masters was marked by a missed cut after his first eight appearances. This year, he expressed his regrets, stating, “I feel that every time I am there it is just a special, special feeling that I will never take for granted.”
Other Notable Participants
While Finau sits out, former BYU golfer Mike Weir, the 2003 Masters champion, will compete. Weir enjoys a lifetime exemption into the tournament and is part of a small field of 91 players. He tees off at 9:27 a.m. MDT on Thursday, alongside Wyndham Clark and amateur Mateo Pulcini.
Weir’s Chances and History
- Mike Weir’s odds of winning are currently 200,000 to 1.
- He recently secured a T14 finish at the Hoag Classic, his best result in the Champions Tour this season.
- Weir’s victory remains the best result by a Canadian at the Masters.
In contrast to Finau’s struggles, Weir’s participation in the Masters reinforces the legacy of Canadian golfers at this event. Fellow Canadians Nick Taylor and Corey Conners will also be in the field, adding to the representation of golfers from north of the border.
The Tournament Favorites
This year’s Masters sees Scottie Scheffler as a frontrunner, with odds at +550, followed closely by Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, and Xander Schauffele. Despite Finau’s absence, anticipation remains high for a thrilling tournament.
As the Masters unfolds, fans will watch to see how the landscape changes without one of Utah’s most prominent golfers, Tony Finau. His streak may have ended, but his impact on the sport endures.
