John Oda holds on to win 2023 Provo Open in playoff
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- Pro golfer John Oda hits a shot out of a sand trap during the final round of the 2023 Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course in Provo on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
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- Pro golfer John Oda poses for photos with the champions trophy after the final round of the 2023 Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course in Provo on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
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- Pro golfer Gipper Finau watches a putt come up just short during the final round of the 2023 Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course in Provo on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
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- Pro golfer John Oda (right) shakes hands with friend Spencer Dunaway, a former BYU golfer, after the final round of the 2023 Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course in Provo on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
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- Pro golfer Gipper Finau hits a shot during the final round of the 2023 Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course in Provo on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
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- Pro golfer John Oda looks down at a putt that just missed during the final round of the 2023 Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course in Provo on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
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- Pro golfer Gipper Finau watches his drive during the final round of the 2023 Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course in Provo on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
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- Pro golfer Gipper Finau leaves the course with his family after the final round of the 2023 Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course in Provo on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
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- Pro golfer John Oda lines up a putt during the final round of the 2023 Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course in Provo on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
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- Pro golfer David Timmons, a former BYU star, watches his drive during the final round of the 2023 Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course in Provo on Saturday, June 17, 2023.
There are a number of reasons why John Oda might not have decided to come to Utah to compete in the 2023 Primo Provo Open at Timpanogos golf course.
The Hawaiian who played golf at UNLV doesn’t have obvious ties to the Beehive State and went through some tough times as a professional golfer, resulting in him deciding to take some time off.
But Oda did have one very good reason to make the trip and compete in the event: Former BYU golfer Spencer Dunaway, who is now an assistant coach at Utah.
“Last year I played in the Utah State Open and I stayed at his house,” Oda said. “I signed up for this and I said, ‘Hey, Spence, can I kind of come crash at your place?’ And he said, ‘Yeah.’ He’s like a brother to me. We’ve known each other since we were 12 or 13-years-old and playing junior golf in Hawaii together. We were really close. To have him here and watching me, I’m a lucky guy to know a lot of good people.”
It appeared to have been a great decision as Oda rocketed into the lead, going 15-under-par in the first two rounds.
It wasn’t going to be easy to close it out on Saturday, however.
Oda didn’t play poorly in the final round, shooting a solid 69 (3-under-par) including a great chip-in on Hole No. 17 to remain in the lead.
But he had competition from Gipper Finau, brother of PGA Tour golfer Tony Finau, who came roaring back with a 9-under-par to tie Oda atop the leaderboard.
“I had a hot start,” Gipper Finau said. “I’ve been playing professional golf and tournaments for as long as I can remember, so you know how to come back and compete. I just made a putt on the first hole to get a birdie and made another on the third hole to get a birdie. When you start doing that, you feel like it might be your day. So I went out there and just kept hitting shots and making putts.”
Gipper Finau’s birdie on No. 18 even the match at 18-under-par, but Oda had one more chance to win on the final hole. His putt, however, just lipped the cup and the two golfers went to a playoff.
“I really didn’t know where I was at,” Oda said. “Right when I missed it, I learned we were tied. My caddy told me, ‘hey, shake it off. You still have got a chance to win.’ He got me focused and right back in there. Actually I felt a lot more comfortable on those last two holes coming in.”
It was Gipper Finau’s turn to have a chance to win with a birdie putt on the first playoff hole, but it came up short and Oda made a 10-footer to force another hole.
On the second playoff hole, Hole No. 9, Oda caught a break when Gipper Finau’s tee shot found the water.
“That’s a tricky hole location,” Oda said. “I just wanted to hit something out in the fairway on the right and give myself a look. Gipper got aggressive and I took advantage of that. I needed to just make sure hit the green there. I did that and it was a perfect.”
While he would’ve liked to have hit his final tee shot a little bit better, Gipper Finau said he was just playing his way.
“I hit it in the water with a 7-iron off the tee, a shot that I thought was perfect,” Gipper Finau said. “If it was four or five yards shorter or to the right, it would’ve been really good. Aggressive play has always been my thing and you are going to live and die with it.”
Oda was able to complete his par and secure his first professional win, earning $10,000 for first place.
“I haven’t played in too many mini tour events but this is my first professional win and it means a lot,” Oda said “I haven’t won a tournament since 2016, which was a college event. To come in here and close it out when it was tough coming down the stretch, it just means a lot and gives me confidence moving forward.”
Gipper Finau, who won $8,000 for ending up second, also isn’t playing as much golf as he used to but he said he still loves the game.
“I’ve taken a break in the last few years, getting into business and doing a lot different things,” Gipper Finau said. “You tend to take it for granted as a kid, playing an adult sport. Now that I’m older, I tend to look back and start being grateful for what the sport has to offer. I’m just grateful to be out here, competing with the talent that I have.”
Former BYU golfer David Timmons came in third, one stroke behind the leaders, while Skyline golfer Peter Kim (10-under-par) just edged BYU golfer Keanu Akina (9-under-par) for Low Amateur honors.