You don’t often get to witness someone charge up 20 spots on moving day at Torrey Pines. But that’s exactly what Tony Finau did at the Genesis Invitational, putting on a short-game clinic that left spectators in awe. While other contenders struggled with Torrey’s punishing layout—including World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who slumped to a 76—Finau masterfully navigated the course with three remarkable chip-ins during his bogey-free 5-under 67. The stellar round vaulted him into T4 and right into the thick of contention, just four shots behind leader Patrick Rodgers.
The most dramatic of these came at the third hole, where Finau faced a delicate shot from thick rough between bunker and green. With barely two yards to work with, he executed a perfect 60-degree wedge that trickled into the cup, carrying that momentum straight into another chip-in at the fourth. By the time he holed out again at the eighth, even Finau had to acknowledge the golf gods were smiling at him at Torrey Pines.
Yet amid the excitement of his remarkable round, it was Finau’s revelation about a trusted companion in his bag—a club that’s been with him through countless victories and challenges—that truly captured his attention. In a sport where equipment changes as frequently as the seasons, this particular club tells a story of unwavering loyalty spanning a decade.
Tony Finau’s decade-long love affair with Nike’s forgotten gem
“My favorite club ever is my 3-iron, it’s in there right now. It’s a Nike 3-iron. I’ve been playing it for 10 years now, pretty much exactly 10 years. I put it in the bag in 2015,” Finau shared in his post-round press conference at Torrey Pines, his eyes lighting up at the mere mention of his trusted weapon. The revelation came with an even more intriguing detail when pressed about the club: “I think me and Brooks are the two guys that still use it and we’ve both been using it about 10 years.”
This isn’t just any club—it’s the Nike Vapor Fly Pro 3-iron, a piece of equipment that has achieved almost mythical status since Nike’s shocking exit from the golf hardware business in 2016. While most pros quickly moved on to newer technology, Finau and Brooks Koepka formed an exclusive two-man club, refusing to part with what they consider golf’s equivalent of a magic wand.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – SEPTEMBER 25: Tony Finau of the U.S. Team reacts during a practice round prior to the 2024 Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club on September 25, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
For Finau, the attachment runs deeper than mere familiarity. This is the same club that has been in his bag for six PGA Tour victories, including his breakthrough wins at the 2022 3M Open and 2023 Mexico Open. With a stock distance of 250 yards and versatility that allows him to shape shots at will, the 3-iron has become his ultimate security blanket on tour.
The mystique of this particular 3-iron lies in its innovative design. The hollow-bodied construction with RZN material in the cavity created a unique combination of forgiveness and workability that was ahead of its time. The club’s NexCOR steel face technology delivered consistent ball speeds that even modern clubs struggle to match, explaining why both Finau and Koepka stockpiled backups before Nike’s exit.
But the story of this mythical club extends far beyond Finau’s bag, with its legacy etched into the history of major championships through another unwavering devotee of the Nike iron.
Brooks Koepka and the iron that conquered five majors
When Nike shuttered its golf equipment business in 2016, most pros scrambled to find replacements for their clubs. But Brooks Koepka had other ideas. The Vapor Fly Pro 3-iron wasn’t just there for show; it was his go-to club for winning all five major championships, especially the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill.
Koepka’s devotion to the club borders on the extreme. That golf club’s seen better days (chunks missing, ferrule always needs glue), but he’s stubborn and won’t replace it! When asked about the possibility of the club face caving in, Koepka’s response was characteristically blunt – he doesn’t know and doesn’t care, earning him the label of “maniac” from golf equipment experts.
In a sport obsessed with the latest technology, sometimes the old magic just works better. And for two of golf’s biggest stars, this piece of Nike’s legacy remains irreplaceable.
What’s your take on pros sticking with older equipment despite newer technology? Let us know in the comments section below!
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