RYDER CUP star Tony Finau has revealed he suffered police brutality. The American, 30, said the incident happened six years ago when he was handcuffed and had his face “slammed” against a car window. He has never spoken about it publicly before but felt compelled to talk because of the outrage over the killing of […]
RYDER CUP star Tony Finau has revealed he suffered police brutality.
The American, 30, said the incident happened six years ago when he was handcuffed and had his face “slammed” against a car window.
He has never spoken about it publicly before but felt compelled to talk because of the outrage over the killing of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis last month.
Finau, who was born in Utah but is of Polynesian descent, revealed a car he was in got flagged down because the driver — who was white — had several parking tickets on his record.
World No16 Finau said: “Have I dealt with racism in my life as a person of colour in this country? Yes, I’m not proud to say.
“I have been disrespected and mistreated because of the colour of my skin.
“The officer told me to get out of the car. Within seconds, my face was slammed up against the door and I was in handcuffs. Shortly after, I was in the back of his car.
“To describe the feeling of injustice, unfairness at this time, and try to portray that to those that have never been treated this way . . . it’s an inhuman feeling and wrong on all levels.
“I voice my opinion because I stand with those that are for justice, for equality, and against police brutality and anyone abusing their authority because of the colour of someone else’s skin.
“I think there’s a way to move this country forward by understanding each other, listening to each other, and to continue to spread love.”
Finau returns to action in a star-studded field at the Charles Schwab Challenge in Fort Worth today.
Rory McIlroy is also teeing it up in Texas and he, too, has spoken about the prejudices he encountered as a young boy in Northern Ireland.
The four-time Major champion says growing up towards the end of The Troubles helped him understand the civil unrest sparked by Floyd’s killing.
McIlroy, 31, said he was born into a country “divided by hatred and intolerance” and is desperate to see things change for the better.
He explained: “I think coming from Northern Ireland does help me understand things in a way. And a great word that I’ve been thinking of over the last couple of weeks is ‘tolerance’.
“I think everyone can just be a little more tolerant, and a little more educated and not as ignorant.
“The fact there does seem to be this real will to change and have reform is amazing. It’s been a great thing to see.”
McIlroy says as someone who grew up idolising Tiger Woods he cannot understand why people are judged by the colour of their skin.
The world No 1 added: “Tiger doesn’t look the same as me, has had a very different upbringing to the one that I have had, but he was my hero growing up.
“I think that there should be more people like him in golf. Giving people from different backgrounds opportunities in golf can only be a good thing.”
