For Nealson Manutai, the fifth time was the charm. Four times Manutai participated in Drive, Chip and Putt local qualifying in Hawaii and didn’t advance. But on his fifth try he totaled 103 points in the three skills for an overwhelming victory. That performance was followed by triumphs in the Sub-Regionals and Regional Final, propelling Manutai to Sunday’s National Finals in the Boys 10-11 division.
Manutai, a fifth-grader at Laie Elementary School in Laie, Hawaii, won’t be the only member of his extended family competing at Augusta National Golf Club.
Nealson’s mother, Lesina, is a cousin of Tony Finau’s wife, Alayna. “Uncle Tony,” as Manutai refers to Finau, who tied for fifth in the 2019 Masters and is competing for the sixth time in the Tournament, is a friend, inspiration and frequent playing companion for the 11-year-old when the Finau and Manutai families are together.
“I’ve played many times with Tony,” Manutai said. “He gives me pointers and tips. I can learn a lot from him.”
There is only one problem watching the powerful five-time PGA Tour winner. “Sometimes when he hits a drive, I can’t even see the ball,” Manutai said. “I’m like, ‘Where did it go?’”
Nealson is a sturdy kid and has plenty of pop in his own tee shots, averaging about 240 yards. He has worked on shoring up his putting and chipping to go along with his long game. In the Regional Final at Scottsdale, putting was his strongest skill as he totaled 60 points to win by two over Kai Molina.
“I have been trying to focus on my chipping and putting,” Manutai said.
Nealson has been around the game since he was a toddler when his father, Neal, started taking him out to Kahuku Golf Course. He started playing when he was 4. “Nealson plays a lot of sports, but he really likes golf and has stuck with it,” Neal said.
The Manutai and Finau families spend part of each summer in Utah, where Tony Finau grew up. Nealson and Finau’s oldest child, Jraice, are only a week apart in age and play a lot together.
“Tony is a busy guy but is great to Nealson,” Neal said. “He gives him a lot of pep talks and encouragement. He tells us to keep doing what we’re doing, that we’re doing what he used to do, working hard to get better.”
I enjoy everything about golf. From the first day, I have loved it. You can play when you’re 4 and when you’re 70. It’s the best sport.
Manutai was sidelined for three months in 2022 after having surgery on his right elbow for a football injury. He returned to golf and other sports – he likes to play rugby, basketball and surf – pain free even though he can’t fully extend his right arm.
Manutai has tied for third twice in the U.S. Kids World Championship in Pinehurst, N.C., in 2019 in the Boys 7 division and 2020 in Boys 8 division. When playing in junior events in Utah during the summer, Manutai often competes against older golfers in an attempt to get competitively tough.
The oldest of six children – he has three sisters and two brothers – Manutai was fascinated by golf from the start.
“I enjoy everything about golf,” he said. “From the first day, I have loved it. You can play when you’re 4 and when you’re 70. It’s the best sport.”
