Tony Finau feeling better, still in Masters hunt after 74

Alayna Finau knew her husband’s foot felt better Friday morning when he was climbing the stairs at the home they are renting in Augusta. When he awoke 24 hours earlier, he couldn’t any put weight on the left ankle that was dislocated Wednesday during the Par-3 Contest.

Though the putts didn’t drop for Tony Finau in the second round of the Masters Tournament, he remained in the hunt by rolling in a 4-footer for birdie on the 18th hole for 74 and a 2-under total after 36 holes.

“It was tricky,” he said. “The pins were tough. They really were. Subtle breaks and just with the speed and the wind, I didn't feel like I didn't — it's not like I didn't feel like I putted as well, I feel like I putted equally as well, they didn't fall today. So still pretty confident with the putter in my hand, and hopefully more fall for me on the weekend.

PHOTOS: Finau's second round at Augusta National

Finau had 32 putts the second round after needing only 23 in his opening 68. He walked the hilly Augusta National Golf Club without a limp.

The 28-year-old Masters rookie was a popular sleeper pick entering the event because of his power off the tee, high ball flight and consistent performance over the past two years, which has propelled him to No. 34 in the world ranking.

Yet his appearance seemed in doubt after his celebration following an ace led to the embarrassing injury. After anxious moments on the way to the hospital Wednesday night, an X-Ray and MRI revealed no serious damage. He’s treating it as a high ankle sprain, using ice treatments, elevation and playing with the ankle wrapped heavily under his sock.

“I feel pretty good,” he said. “Especially what I've been through just the last 48 hours, with my body and with my ankle, just emotionally it's been a roller coaster for me, so to be in this position, you never know what's going to be leading after a day like today, but I'm going to be in the hunt going into the weekend and I'm excited about that at a major championship.”

Alayna Finau walked among the patrons and followed her husband in the second round. He squandered birdie opportunities at Nos. 13 and 15 when he couldn’t get up-and-down from steps off the green. Still, she was proud to see him not only playing but also contending in his first trip to Augusta National after unsettling and uncertain hours prior to the first round.

“He’s so strong, all heart,” she said. “I’m not surprised.”

The couple’s four children – age 6 and younger – tried to accelerate Dad’s recovery by massaging his feet while he was in bed Wednesday night.

With the help of swing coach Boyd Summerhays, Finau shifted his stance to account for the injury.

PHOTOS: Second round at the Masters Tournament

“Yeah, the ball, I put the ball back and I got to stay back on my right side at the start, just because I can't put as much pressure as I would like on my left,” he said. “So just, the ball just has to be further back because my weight starts back. That's about it. I don't really think about anything else from there. I try to make just a normal swing that I've been working on and I've been hitting it nicely this year and I hit some really good shots out there.”