Utah Jazz Owner Ryan Smith To Caddie For Tony Finau In Bahamas This Week

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah’s Tony Finau will have a billionaire on the bag this week as he contends at the World Hero Championship in the Bahamas.

Finau’s regular caddie, Mark Urbanek, is unable to make the trip as he and his wife are expecting the birth of their first child. Therefore, Finau was forced to make a phone call to a friend, a friend that happens to own an NBA team.

Ryan Smith has transformed Finau’s fandom since taking control of the Utah Jazz. Growing up Finau has a fanatic Los Angeles Lakers fan due to his affection for the late Kobe Bryant. Despite growing up in Rose Park, Utah, Finau stuck true to his love for the Lakers.

Here's why @tonyfinaugolf has a billionaire on his bag this week at the Hero World Challenge 👀: https://t.co/uFkZIN8dfG pic.twitter.com/Qr8Xfbrd3o

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) December 1, 2021

However, when Smith bought the Utah Jazz late last year, Finau opted to return to his roots and start supporting his friend and his local franchise.

It remains unknown if Finau will pay Smith the going caddie rate, or if the Qualtrics sponsorship that Smith provides Finau is enough to call this week even.

The Hero World Challenge only invited 20 of the world’s best golfers. The prize for coming in last place is $100,000.

This is the first time in Finau’s professional career that Smith has caddied for him. Smith has been seen playing PGA Tour charity events and does frequently participates in the Utah Open.

It has long been rumored that Smith’s ability with a golf stick is nothing short of impressive. He is expected to have a very low handicap.

Finau will play alongside Harris English for the first round. Their tee time is scheduled for 9:38 a.m. Thursday.