Honestly, if you've been following the PGA Tour lately, you know the vibe around Tony Finau has felt a little... off. For years, he was that guy. The top-10 machine. The "Big Tone" who could overpower any course with a swing that looked like he was barely trying. But today at Waialae Country Club, the stakes feel different. It’s the 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii, and for the first time in what feels like forever, people aren't just checking the tony finau score today to see if he's winning—they’re checking to see if he’s still there.
It’s Friday, January 16, 2026. Round 2.
The Number on the Board: Tony Finau Score Today
Finau went out for his second round today at 9:54 AM local time (which is 2:54 PM ET for those of us trying to do the time zone math on the mainland). He's playing alongside John Keefer and Michael Brennan.
Yesterday was... okay. He opened with a round of 70 (Even par). On a course like Waialae, which is basically a flat, palm-tree-lined dartboard if the wind isn't howling, even par usually doesn't cut it. He entered today sitting right on that precarious cut line.
As of his latest holes today, Finau is hovering around even for the tournament. He's had a mix of those trademark "how did he do that?" birdies followed by frustrating three-putts that have become a bit of a calling card lately. The leader, Kevin Roy, is already deep into the red at -7, which puts Tony about seven shots back.
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Basically, he’s fighting to make the weekend.
What’s Actually Happening with Finau?
It’s weird to say, but Finau is currently ranked 92nd in the world. Read that again. This is a guy who was a fixture in the top 20 for half a decade.
The 2025 season was, by his own admission, a total disaster. He didn't win once. He only had one top-10 finish. He even missed out on the 2026 Masters field—the first time he won't be at Augusta since 2018. That hurts.
So why the slide?
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- The Knee: He had surgery on his left knee in 2024. At 36 years old, the "bounce back" isn't as bouncy as it used to be.
- Driving Distance: His Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee has dropped for eight straight years. He’s still long, but he’s not scary long anymore.
- The Irons: This is the real shocker. In 2024, he was basically second only to Scottie Scheffler in iron play. In 2025? He plummeted to 135th.
When you aren't hitting it as far and your approach shots are landing in bunkers instead of five feet from the pin, golf becomes a very hard game very quickly.
The Waialae Factor
The Sony Open is usually a birdie fest. If you aren't shooting 66 or 67, you're moving backward. Tony hasn't played this event in five years. Coming back here now, when he needs a spark, is an interesting choice.
It’s a "position" course. You have to hit fairways. You have to be precise. Historically, Tony’s game was built on power and athleticism, but the 2026 version of Finau is trying to find a new identity. He’s trying to be more surgical.
Today’s round is basically a microcosm of his entire career crossroads. If he makes a move and shoots a 65, the narrative changes to "He's back!" If he bogeys a couple coming in and misses the cut? The whispers about his career "stalling" are going to get a lot louder.
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Watching the Cut Line
Usually, the cut at the Sony Open falls around -2 or -3. Starting today at even par, Tony basically needs to find three birdies and keep the card clean just to guarantee himself a job on Saturday and Sunday.
He’s grinding. You can see it in his face. The smile is still there for the fans, but there’s a tension in the shoulders.
It’s not just about the tony finau score today; it’s about the FedExCup points. Missing cuts in January is how you end up losing your status by August. For a guy with six PGA Tour wins and over $45 million in career earnings, playing for his "status" feels beneath him, yet here we are.
What This Means for Your Weekend
If you’re tracking the leaderboard, watch the par-5s at Waialae. If Tony isn't birdying those, he’s in trouble. He needs to take advantage of his remaining length while his irons are still catching up to his 2023 form.
Honestly, golf is better when Tony Finau is in the mix. He’s one of the genuinely good guys on tour. But the stats don't care about personality.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Live Leaderboard: Keep an eye on the PGA Tour Live Leaderboard as the afternoon wave finishes up in Hawaii.
- Watch the "Strokes Gained: Approach" Stat: If Tony finishes the day with a positive number here, it’s a huge sign that his 2025 slump might be ending.
- Monitor the World Ranking: If he misses the cut today, he’s likely to fall outside the top 100 for the first time in nearly a decade.
The comeback has to start somewhere. Why not Honolulu?