Tony Finau involved in bizarre dispute with PGA Tour rookie in “wild scenario”

The PGA Tour saw a tense moment at the Texas Children’s Houston Open as Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti clashing over who would putt first after minutes of debate

Tony Finau was involved in an icy dispute with PGA Tour rookie Alejandro Tosti at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, with the pair clashing over who would putt first.

Both golfers wanted to receive a benefit on the line and speed of the putt and after a stare-down and an over three-minute deliberation, Tosti stepped up to putt after getting his rival Finau to move his marker. NBC analyst Steve Sands called it a “wild scenario” as PGA Tour rules official Mark Dusbabek was introduced to The Golf Channel broadcast to discuss the lengthy discussion.

Eventually, both Finau and Tosti hit their putts on the par-4 4th and walked away with two-putt pars. But it didn’t stop a repeat from happening on the par-4 6th. Finau found himself closer to the hole, using his right to get Tosti to shoot first.

“You can cut the tension with a knife between Finau and Tosti right now,” on-course announcer John Wood said. “They had another instance right there where they were trying to figure out who was away. Tony just pointed at him and walked away. Tosti kind of smiled as if to say ‘You’re kidding right?’ It’s just completely icy, it is not comfortable between those two at all. It’s just tension.”

Wood added: “Back on 5 after their first confrontation on 4, when Tosti made that birdie putt, he was pretty close to Tony and he just gave it two big fist-pumps. There is no love lost.”

The controversy isn’t Tosti’s first in the PGA Tour after earning his tour card last season through the Korn Ferry Tour. Tosti was sensationally forced to withdraw from the KFT’s Boise Open after the first round by the PGA Tour for a “disciplinary matter.”

Finau did find himself leading the tournament in Houston by two shots at the halfway point. However, he has since lost his way, being tied in ninth. He finds himself up against the likes of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. “I hit some nice shots, but it was mostly just draining some putts from long distance,” Finau said before the capitulation.

“I chipped in for eagle on eight. Next thing you know I’m like, ‘Wow, eight under.’ It’s strange how this game works, but you’re never thinking ahead too much.”

Meanwhile, Scheffler is tied in first on Sunday. The 27-year-old is coming off consecutive victories in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship.