Leap of faith: Teen golf phenoms Tony and Gipper Finau hoping to defy golf's long odds

A couple of weeks ago, the vice president of a major golf company watched in awe as 17-year-old Tony Finau hit a drive some 420 yards on the 498-yard 18th hole at Glenwild Golf Club. After witnessing the incredible feat, along with Finau's tidy little 31 on the back nine, the executive nearly signed Finau right on the spot to an endorsement contract.

The same week, Michael Jordan, yes, the Michael Jordan, played a round with Tony and his younger brother, Gipper, 16, at Glenwild and was so impressed with the pair, he wanted to take their portfolio back with him the following week to show Nike executives.

Earlier in June, Lee Trevino and Jim Colbert, former Champions Tour stars who worked as commentators for the Ultimate Game in Las Vegas last month, were both wowed by Tony's play, prompting Trevino to say he'd work to find sponsor's exemptions for the Finaus on the two major tours this summer.

These are heady times for Tony, who isn't defending his Utah State Amateur crown this week, as well as Gipper, who could have been his top challenger at Thanksgiving Point Golf Course.

Instead of playing the State Am, the boys are finishing up a four-week "boot camp" as they prepare to embark on careers as professional golfers. The two brothers from Rose Park gave up their amateur status in late May, initially so they could chase a $2 million first prize at the Las Vegas tournament. Tony made the 12-man finals and pocketed $100,000, which covered the entry fees for the pair.

Tony and Gipper made the controversial decision to turn professional and not wait until after college, when they are in their 20s. It means neither can play collegiate golf — Gipper will also forgo his senior year of high school — and both will have to try to earn a living playing golf.

The boys, their agent Dieter Esch, and their parents, Gary and Ravena, are absolutely convinced that the two are headed for the PGA Tour and that it's just a matter of time before they get there. They feel the boys will be better off getting daily experience on the golf course than combining their golf with college life.

"We felt like we were ready, so why not start young?" says Tony.

Gipper calls it "perfect timing" to turn pro now.

Their father, Gary, while acknowledging it's a "50-50" proposition, says, "If you have the talent young enough, you can start early" as a professional.

Others are skeptical and wonder if they've made a bad decision that will come back to haunt them.