Tony Finau Withdraws From The Rocket Classic

With the Rocket Classic around the corner, the playing field is taking shape with some surprises.  James Piot is making his grand PGA return, and fans are already making their bets on the players.  Unfortunately, some players are dropping out of the event.  Not as many as the RBC Canadian Open just a few short weeks ago.  The list currently sits at seven, but there are notable names in that list, including Tony Finau.  A player who is in a position where he should reconsider that decision.

Tony Finau Withdraws

The news of Finau’s withdrawal doesn’t come with his reasoning for doing so.  As of right now, it is anyone’s guess as to why he is doing this.  There are theories that it has something to do with his surgery from last year.  This isn’t the first event he withdrew from this year.  He didn’t attend the Zurich Classic, a move for which he has received criticism.  The official PGA Tour Communications Twitter account put out he news in the early afternoon on Tuesday.  There, they announced that Joseph Bramlett will be taking Finau’s spot unless something else happens.

Finaus Standing

Tony Finau has had a rough 2025.  This is why he was criticised for pulling out of the Zurich Classic back in April, and there is no doubt that he’ll be criticised for this withdrawal too.  Joseph Lamanga made this criticism when Finau initially withdrew from the Zurich Classic.

“I’m telling you, that’s one of my biggest notes for this – where’s Tony Finau, and I’m serious. He should be playing in this,” he said.  “He’s having a bad year, he’s 46th in the FedEx Cup, he may not be in the top 50 at the end of this year.  Fits this place well.  If he got a decent partner and teed it up, that could be the difference at the end of the year in having status in the signature events or not.  A lot of guys are going to look back on this and regret not playing it.”

He still only has one top-ten finish for the year, dating back to the Genesis Invitational.  He has made two out of three major cuts and finished T19 at the PGA Championship.  However, his OWGR ranking has been slipping; he is currently at No. 44.  

The 2025 Season

Tony Finau’s decision to withdraw will baffle golf fans.  His ranking will only slip if he doesn’t attend events.  Sure, he has not been performing well this year with a “lackluster performance,” but any opportunity not taken can only negatively impact him at this point.  His FedEx Cup rank will continue to slip, and he was already sitting at 46th during the Zurich Classic.  There were doubts that Finau wouldn’t be able to turn this season around before it concludes.  Currently, it looks like those who were claiming that will be proven right.  

Finau is still a fairly skilled player.  He is in the top 50 on the OWGR after all, and there will be plenty of chances for him to improve his game.  He may not be able to turn this season on its head, but he can still surprise everyone in the 2026 season.