Tony Finau issues statement after withdrawing from PGA Tour event

Tony Finau is taking a pass on the Rocket Classic this week as the PGA Tour heads back to Detroit Golf Club.

Finau, a marquee name slated for the Rocket Classic lineup, will not be stepping onto the greens alongside former LIV Golf figure James Piot—granted a PGA Tour return via sponsor exemption. Earlier, Finau made his absence official.

On social media, the past champ expressed his sentiments: "Hey Detroit, you know I love the 313 and being champ of the community's classic!

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"This tournament and this community mean a lot to me so I'm bummed to share that I won't be competing this week due to some needed rest and recovery.

"I know you will have a blast this week and I hope to be back in the 313 in the years to come! All my best to everyone competing this week and to all involved in this great tournament."

This news certainly comes as a disappointment to the event and fans, with Finau being one of the most beloved figures anticipated in Detroit's lineup this week.

On top of his decision to sit out the Rocket Classic, Finau alerted fans that he'd be on hiatus from the course until The Open Championship next month, the season's closing major. Finau was just seen at the Travelers Championship, where fellow American and U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley triumphed.

Finau had a challenging time at TPC River Highlands, wrapping up the event at an unfortunate 11-over-par, landing in a tie for last place with Nick Dunlap.

It's been a season of highs and lows for the golfer who triumphed in the 2022 Rocket Classic; he's aiming to get back on track and bolster his Ryder Cup prospects in the upcoming weeks.

His performance was notably stronger at last month's PGA Championship, where Finau finished tied for 19th at a respectable two-under for the event. Finau had been in the mix over the weekend at Quail Hollow until Scottie Scheffler took control and seized the win.

Reflecting on his fluctuating season at the PGA, Finau remarked: "Mixed bag for sure. I've had a couple of good finishes, and I would say mostly kind of disappointing finishes, nothing too special. But the great thing about, again, having experience that I have, being out here, this is my 11th season now.

"Every week you have an opportunity to do something special, and I try not to be nonchalant about every week and approach each week as if you can change the mojo of your career, your season, in that week. So again, I try to use my experience to my advantage. It hasn't been a season to remember, you know, to be quite honest.

"But that can all change in a week, and I try to keep that attitude, that fresh attitude every time I have an opportunity to tee it up, and I've got a cool opportunity to change the season and change the course of my career."