Tony Finau dad Kelepi Finau is the president of the Finau Family Foundation. Kelepi was born and raised in Tonga before moving to Salt Lake City.
Tony is a professional golfer who turned professional at the age of 17 when he started playing on mini-tours.
During his college career, he was offered to play basketball but decided to play golf. When he was younger, he used a mattress as a makeshift golf net to practice his swing in his home's garage.
In 2013 Fianu played on the PGA Tour Canada and in 2016 he won his first Tour at Puerto Rico Open. He earned his 2014 Web.com Tour card after finishing T-3 at the 2013.
At Royal Portrush in 2019, he placed third in the Open Championship, his best finish in a Major competition.
In 2022, Tony won his third and fourth PGA Tour victories by winning the 3M Open beating Adam Schenk and Rocket Mortgage Classic. He also earned his third tour victory in November 2022 by winning the Cadence Bank Houston Open.
Tony Finau Parents
Tony Finau parents are Ravena Finau and Kelepi Finau. Ravena and Kelepi met at a coed volleyball team in California.
They then decided to tie the knot in 1985 in Long Beach and settled in Salt Lake City in 1989. The couple welcomed their first child Tony in 1989.
Growing up, Tony was interested in golf and his mother completely supported him when he showed interest.
Kelepi used to work graveyard hours for Delta, and his income was lower. When his son showed an interest in golf, he purchased used equipment and built a temporary practice facility out of the garage.
At 14, Tony and his mother spent the night in their car at a PGA Junior Series competition in Milwaukee because they couldn't afford a hotel room.
Ravena didn't eat for three days because she only had enough money to purchase Tony a few McDonald's hamburgers.
Living in Rose Park, Kelepi had to decide whether to send his son to East High or stay home in West.
On the other hand, Ravena stayed out of the decision, and then Kelepi talked with West High School Principle about starting a golf team.
Though staying away from the decision, Ravena was there to support his son and after two years Tony won medalist honors at the 4A State championship.
In 2011, Tony Finau mother Ravena passed away in a car accident at the age of 47. As the green color was Ravena's favorite Finau honors her on Sunday by wearing green.
Kelepi Finau Runs A Foundation
Kelepi works as a president at Tony Finau Foundation. At the age of 12, Kelepi moved from the coast of Tonga to the coast of Los Angeles.
He worked as a lawnmower for his father in Inglewood, California, during his teenage to help pay the expenses.
On Kelepie's 60th birthday, Tony arranged a surprise birthday party. All of his siblings made time to celebrate a birthday party.
Kelepi is happily married to Talafau Ki Vaohea. He has shared pictures with her on his Facebook account.
Ravena Finau Was Supportive
Ravena has always supported and motivated her children to achieve their career goals. She was very talented as Ravena loved dancing and playing volleyball.
She supported Tony when he went professional after winning the Utah State Amateur at 16.
Tony always remembers his mother during his game. On Mother's day he posted pictures of her on his Instagram account writing he is grateful for her legacy of love and faith.
Tony Finau Siblings
Finau has six siblings, four brothers Gipper, Kelven, Piaonola, and Tevita, and two sisters Heilala and Kaylene.
His brother Gipper grew up playing golf with Tony. When her mother passed away in a car accident his one brother and sister were also involved.
They were moved to Salt Lake Hospital for treatment. Tony is the eldest son and has always been there for his siblings.
Gipper Is Golf Player
Gipper is a professional golf player and played on Web.com Tour. Tony and Gipper used to practice golf during their childhood.
Progessing their golf career they established themselves as regulars at the course, so Richard Mason, the golf professional began allowing them to play for free in the late evenings.
The first competition the brothers played together clearly demonstrated Gipper Year's advantage. In August 1997, a junior competition was held at the Jordan River track.
Gipper, a six-year scored par and defeated two 10-year-olds in a playoff to win the competition. He played in Utah's Nationwide Tour and won the championship.
Talking about his personal life, he is in a relationship with Jennifer Finau.
Finau Savors His Heritage
Tony Finau belongs to Polynesian heritage. He was born on September 14, 1989, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Finau stated that his father Kelepi of Tonga and his mom Ravena of American Samoa taught him about his culture.
Since he was surrounded by Polynesian family members, he picked up the habit of respecting his seniors, which he still practices today. According to Finau, he has learned a lot from his tradition.
Tony is the first Samoan and Tonga heritage golfer to hold the P.G.A. Tour card.
Finau admitted that most Polynesians don't have much experience playing golf. As the only golfer from the region, he wanted to inspire the country's upcoming young golfers.
He showed his appreciation for his Polynesian upbringing and the way it has benefited him in today's world.
Tony Finau Wife
Tony Finau married wife Alayna Finau on May 12, 2012. Tony and Alayna first met in 2010 at New Years Eve dance.
The couple dated two years before their marriage. They celebrated their ten years of marriage anniversary on May 13, 2022.
Alayna didn't know Tony's profession when they met, but as they became close to each other, she learned about his image on the course.
Tony and Alayna have also been featured in the Netflix golf documentary Full Swing. In the episode Don't Get Bitter, Get Better, Tony and his wife are seen supporting one another.
The couple is also actively involved in the charitable organization Finau Foundation. They are also members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Alayna has always supported Tony and he is highly thankful to Alayna's motivation and encouragement for his successes.
When Finau won Rocket Mortgage Classic he stated that with the help of his wife, he succeeded in winning. Since both of them are Polynesians, Alayna values Tony's ability to speak for their culture internationally.
She will be cheering Tony when he will tee in Augusta Masters 2023 with the likes of Jon Rahm and Mike Weir.
Alayna Is An Athlete
Alayna grew up in Honolulu with her four siblings. She used to play volleyball for Notre Dame de Namur's volleyball team.
She completed her studies at Kahuku High School and then attended Notre Dame de Namur University.
Alayna has three sisters, Aja Taliilagi, Alethea Aila, Adrianne Tautinei and one brother Tipa-Jesse Tuvale Galeeai. She is open about her life as she has shared the success of Tony's work and her daily activities on her Instagram account.
Tony Has Five Kids
Tony Finau has five children, two daughters Leilene Aiaga and Sienna-Vee and three sons, Jraice, Tony Jr and Sage Finau.
During the 2018 Masters, Tony's son and daughter joined during Par 3 contest wearing the same outfit. Alayna had a great time and was overjoyed that her children saw him perform live.
Jraice, their older son was born in 2011 and he chose to follow the savior Jesus Christ and be baptized on December 1, 2019.
He has also followed in his father's footsteps to become a golfer as he won the Utah Junior Golf Association Player of the Year in 2021.
Leilene celebrated her seventh birthday on October 1, 2019. Sage was born in 2016 and their youngest daughter Sienna was born in 2021.
The children enjoy spending family time and have traveled to many destinations together. They spent their weekend at Disney World and created many memories.
