Tony Finau holed a difficult pitch shot for a birdie on No. 18 to complete a third round of 3-under-par 68 in the British Open on Saturday at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland.
The Lehi resident moved into a tie for eighth place, entering Sunday's final round. He's in position for his sixth top-10 finish in a major tournament in only 15 starts over five seasons.
Finau made three birdies on the front nine Saturday, but missed a short par putt on No. 11. He didn't make any birdies on the back nine until No. 18, where he knocked in his pitch shot from in front of the green. He had bogeyed that hole Friday.
Finau has extended his history of strong play in the British Open, having finished in the top 30 each of the previous three years, including a tie for ninth in 2018.
This is the last major tournament of the PGA Tour's 2018-19 calendar, although Finau has a World Golf Championships event and the FedEx Cup Playoffs ahead of him. He's hoping to move from No. 10 into the top eight in the U.S. standings for automatic qualification for the Presidents Cup in Australia in December.
He’s also ranked No. 17 in the Official World Golf Ranking and is No. 18 in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup standings in the 2018-19 season.
