PGA Tour Event Loses Star as Past Champion Bows Out
PGA Tour Event Loses Star as Past Champion Bows Out originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The field for the PGA Tour's 2025 Rocket Classic has already been shaken up with six players withdrawing ahead of Thursday's first round. With less than 48 hours before the event's start, a fan favorite and past champion has now joined this list, becoming the seventh player to withdraw from the tournament.
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In a communication from the PGA Tour on X, Tony Finau has withdrawn from the 2025 Rocket Classic. The reason has not yet been disclosed. The 35-year-old's exit marks a major blow to the tournament, as it loses one of its prior champions. Finau dominated the field at Detroit Golf Club in 2022 with a five-shot victory.
Tony Finau during the first round of the U.S. OpenBill Streicher-Imagn Images
Following recovery from knee surgery in October 2024, Finau has yet to hit his stride this season. The six-time PGA Tour winner has just one top ten finish in 2025, which came at the Genesis Invitational in February. Finau missed the cut at the Masters but had a solid showing at the PGA Championship, finishing tied for 19th. His withdrawal from the Rocket Classic marks his first drop-out from competition in 2025.
The Rocket Classic is a full-field event with 500 FedExCup points up for grabs for the winner. In Finau's place, Joseph Bramlett, 37, will be joining the field.
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Finau's exit opens the door for the remaining field to capitalize on the event. All eyes will be on U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Keegan Bradley, who pulled off a stunner last week at the Travelers Championship, edging out Tommy Fleetwood and Russell Henley with a birdie on the 72nd hole to win by one stroke.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
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