U.S. Bank Championship: Round 2 Quotes
 
Jul. 20, 2007

Tony Finau, 75-65?140 (even), Finau makes the cut at 17 years, 10 months and six days.

OPENING COMMENTS

I felt a lot better out there and my dad helped me on the range. He told me why I was hooking the ball. My irons were not very good yesterday. I was rotating the club, that's all it was. I felt more comfortable out there today and it showed.

DRIVER TODAY?

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Tony Finau leads the U.S. Bank Championship field in diriving distance (325.8). (Getty Images)

Only two. I didn't feel comfortable on those two holes. I hit irons off those tees because the hyrbrid didn't feel too good today.

BIRDIED 15 FROM 13TH FAIRWAY

I hit a 2-iron off the tee, and hit my hybrid. I had 283 which would be a perfect, high hybrid. It would have been a shank if it was an iron. It was a tough shot, I had about 70 yards and it about three feet.

ON DRIVING 16th GREEN

I pulled out the driver and the fans were like, 'oooh.' I aimed for the center of the green and hit the perfect shot. I should have made the eagle but I will take a birdie.

ON THE CHANCE TO MAKE THE CUT

Hopefully I make the cut. I did my best to get (my score) back down. If I do, I'll have some fun this weekend I think. Try to do my best for these crowds.

ON THE CROWDS

I love it. It was tough to get off to a good start yesterday, I'm not used to it. I was a lot more comfortable today, and I was able to get on a good roll at the start.

ON GAINING EXPERIENCE

I know I can play. Experience is a big key out here. That's what everyone is telling me. After the round yesterday, Billy Andrade, he was like, 'just take what you have.' I couldn't get anything going and he told me to come out here today and play golf like you normally do. I saw him in the parking lot and he was like, 'how did you play today kid?'

WAS LAST NIGHT A TOUGH NIGHT?

It was. I felt weird. I really didn't put out here today. I had some doubts about coming out here for the second round, showing you guys I can play, that I can make the cut and play even better.

SOUNDS LIKE THIS ISN'T CLOSE TO YOUR BEST GOLF

RELATED
Scorecard:  Tony Finau

It could have been a lot lower, that's all I will say about it. If I can make it to the weekend, I'd probably show you guys that.

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION ON THE RANGE

It was awesome. The guys that I watch on TV where back there and I was like, 'whoa'. Kenny Perry, Camilo Villegas. But I want to show them that I can play, not just hit the ball a long way. And that I can putt.

DID YOU THINK ABOUT CHANGING YOUR STRATEGY TODAY?

When I get the driver going, I can hit it straight. It might seem like I am really trying to hit it, but that's just how my swing is. I'm just trying to put the ball out there, and I did a pretty good job of it today. I stick with my game plan. I don't worry about what other people are doing.

WHY NOT COLLEGE?

If I were a normal person, college golf would have a good choice for me, but I don't think I'm a normal person. I think I can compete with these guys when I play well. You might as well start at a young age. Start breaking records early. I have a Sponsor Exemption into next week's Nationwide Tour event in Illinois, so if I can play well in that, hopefully that will open some doors.

HAS IT BEEN TOUGH TRYING TO PROVE PEOPLE WRONG?

It's been tough. Everyone has been doubting us. I think we, my brother and I both turned pro, he's younger than me. I think we can be the start of American golfers like European golfers turning pro right out of high school.

WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD?

Ty Tryon, that we don't have the experience like he didn't. Michelle Wie. Why not play college. I want to change that. Show people that we can play.