Professional golfer Tony Finau recently spoke out about how Netflix’s documentary series Full Swing depicted his family during a challenging time in his life. Finau revealed in a July 2025 interview that while he and his wife Alayna welcomed full access to the filmmakers to share their story, the series ultimately suggested his dedication to family was a distraction from his career. Finau clarified that this narrative did not align with his true experience, emphasizing the importance of family throughout his journey.

During the period featured on Full Swing, Finau was coping with the loss of Alayna’s father, a trial that deeply affected the couple. At the time, he focused on supporting his wife emotionally and mentally. He reflected,

“a lot of my focus was to make sure she was mentally and emotionally OK.”

—Tony Finau, PGA Tour Professional

Understanding Finau’s Intentions Behind Sharing His Story

On the podcast All Those in Favor, Finau explained that he and his wife made a deliberate decision to provide Netflix with extensive access to their personal lives. He said,

“So, when my wife and I decided that we wanted to do it, um, we knew we were gonna give them as much access as they wanted.”

—Tony Finau, PGA Tour Professional

Finau praised the documentary’s overall production, noting,

“they [Netflix] did a good job, the whole Full Swing documentary.”

Yet he emphasized the need to let filmmakers tell the story authentically by investing time and trust. In his words,

“I felt like you had to be willing to give them the time to shape your story, authentically, or else they can just take it wherever they want if you didn’t give them enough time, you know.”

Consequentially, Finau and his wife aimed to help Netflix craft a narrative that was truthful to their family’s experience. He stated,

“give them the time just so they can try and create a narrative that’s just at least accurate.”

Debunking the ‘Distraction’ Narrative Around Finau’s Family

Despite Finau’s cooperation, he felt Netflix framed his family as a source of distraction from his golf career, a portrayal he contested firmly. He expressed,

“they definitely try to spin this narrative that, you know, my family is a distraction and all those things, but, um, you know, at the end of the day, I thought it was great that it proved to be the opposite, you know, that because not in spite of or despite of, you know, my family, um, I love having them around. Like, I wouldn’t have it any other way, you know.”

Finau highlighted that his commitment to family has only strengthened his resolve and personal fulfillment rather than diminished his focus on the sport.

During the documentary’s featured timeline, Finau was traveling frequently yet prioritized being present for his family. He explained,

“It was more important for me to be there for her during these firsts than really anywhere else. So could my game have taken a back seat? Maybe. Potentially. But that’s not really as important to me as my wife was and making sure I was there for her as the strength that’s she been for me for many years.”

Finau’s Dedication to Family Beyond the Course

In the same interview, Finau reflected on the unique opportunities his career allows for family experiences, emphasizing their importance. He said,

“I feel blessed that we’re in a position that we can travel and do all these amazing things together, you know, and we won’t be able to do that forever, you know, our kids will grow up.”

His priorities shine through in another statement:

“Um, you know, everything comes secondary to who I am as a father, as a husband, and my family.”

Finau’s commitment to his loved ones was on clear display during the 2022 3M Open, where a lengthy weather delay allowed him to spend quality time fishing bluegill with his children near the course. When he ultimately won the tournament, he cherished the moment by saying,

“To get a win with them here just means everything. It’s an amazing feeling to walk off a green knowing you won the tournament and walk right into your family, your kids’ arms.”

Netflix’s Full Swing Explores Personal Lives of Tour Professionals

The Netflix series Full Swing provides a rare, intimate glimpse into the lives of several top golfers, blending their competitive careers with their private stories. Alongside Tony Finau, the show has followed other prominent players, including Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa. By revealing moments of vulnerability and family dynamics, the series highlights the human side of these sports professionals.

Rory McIlroy’s Marital Struggles Highlighted in the Series

In the third season of Full Swing, Rory McIlroy’s marriage to Erica Stoll came under intense scrutiny. McIlroy openly shared his challenges around balancing his golfing ambitions with his roles as a husband and father, admitting,

“I’ve struggled with trying to be the best golfer, the best husband, the best dad.”

The series portrayed the difficulty of juggling professional success and family responsibilities.

In May 2024, McIlroy filed for divorce, citing that the marriage was irretrievably broken. Inside sources revealed that Stoll struggled with loneliness due to the demands of McIlroy’s career. The birth of their daughter, Poppy, in August 2020, changed Stoll’s priorities, making her seek a more stable and grounded family environment, away from extensive travel.

Yet, the marital split was brief. McIlroy filed to dismiss the divorce, stating,

“Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together.”

Later, he added,

“Responding to each rumour is a fool’s game. Over the past weeks, Erica and I have realized that our best future was as a family together. Thankfully, we have resolved our differences and look forward to a new beginning.”

Significance of Family Narratives in Professional Golf

The experiences of Tony Finau and Rory McIlroy underline how family life deeply intersects with the careers of top golfers. While Netflix’s Full Swing reveals intimate challenges and triumphs, Finau’s reflections emphasize that a strong family foundation is not a distraction but a vital source of strength. His insistence on authenticity in storytelling points to a broader conversation about respecting athletes’ personal lives.

As viewers continue to engage with these personal sport stories, the ongoing dialogue between public image and private reality will shape how athletes balance professional demands with family commitments. For Tony Finau, his family remains the cornerstone of his identity, proving that dedication to loved ones and sporting excellence can coexist and thrive together.

Our Reader’s Queries

Q. Are Rory McIlroy and Tony Finau friends?

A. McIlroy is considered one of the greatest golfers ever because he has won all four major championships. Finau feels proud to be friends with McIlroy. “We have a really great friendship. It developed naturally since we’ve known each other long before either of us was famous,” Finau mentioned to ABC4.com.

Q. Why is Tony Finau in debt?

A. Since 2020, Hola has been alleging in a lawsuit that the Finaus owe him about $600,000 in unpaid loans. He also claims they owe him an extra $300,000 for consulting work. Additionally, he argues he should receive 20% of the career earnings of brothers Tony and Gipper Finau. Hola says he funded their golf careers from 2006 to 2009 to help them turn professional.

Q. Is Tony Finau a nice guy?

A. In 2022, Golf Digest ranked Tony at the top of their ‘Nice Guys’ list. This was the third instance of him appearing on their cover.

Q. Is Tony Finau’s caddie a billionaire?

A. In 2022, Urbanek went home to support his pregnant wife, leaving Finau without a caddie for the Hero World Challenge. To fill this gap, Finau asked Ryan Smith, his childhood friend from Salt Lake City, Utah, to help. Smith, a billionaire, owns the NBA team Utah Jazz.