Normally, when an errant golf shot strikes a spectator in the gallery at a professional tournament, the player who hit the ball will hand over a signed glove, hat or ball to the unforunate fan.
Five-time major champion Phil Mickelson has been known to fill a golf glove full of money to say he's sorry.
But PGA Tour player Tony Finau set a new standard for kindness to a spectator on Sunday.
Finau, who shot a 73 in Saturday's third round of Dean & DeLuca Invitational at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, struck a drive that landed on the head of 26-year-old Elisa Butler and popped back into the fairway.
Butler wasn't seriously injured, but Finau felt so bad that he found out where she was staying and bought her flowers and chocolates to apologize.
Here was Butler's caption on Instagram, with corresponding photos.
One photo was taken Saturday after Butler was hit and showed a bloody face. A second photo was taken Sunday, with Butler beaming while standing next to Finau.
"This is Tony Finau. Yesterday at the Colonial golf tournament, his golf ball bounced off my head and went back into play. Luckily I am ok and all I needed was a few stitches. In a very stand up gesture, he showed up at my door step with flowers, chocolates, a get well soon card, and he stayed and talked with us for a bit. @tonyfinaugolf I wish you the best of luck in the tour going forward! -Signed, your new favorite fan, Elisa#iforgiveyou #prettyawesomestory#FOOOOREE #ouch #classact"
Finau, who was tied for 31st going into Sunday's round, was not in position to win and finished up in a tie for 34th after a final-round 71.
No word on whether Butler was in the gallery.
Stay away from knives
In 2000, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Mike Matheny missed the playoffs when he sliced his thumb while examining a hunting knife he received for his birthday and had to have surgery.
Saturday, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Jhonny Peralta, who is on a rehab assignment with Class AA Springfield, had get three stitches when he cut his thumb opening a box.
Peralta, who tore ligaments in his thumb during spring training and has missed the season's first 51 games, will have his season debut pushed back again.
"I just don't have any idea how someone could cut their hand. That just amazes me," Matheny said, jokingly. "I feel for him because I've been there. Fortunately, his isn't that big a deal, just a minor setback. We can't bubble-wrap guys. You have to live life, and there are going to be things that happen."
A loss won't hurt you
There was a time not long ago when an early-season loss in a high-profile college football game put the losing team in a position where it could only hope to earn a spot in the national championship game.
But with the advent of the four-team College Football Playoff, an early-season loss to championship contender might not be the kiss of death. After all, Alabama and Ohio State survived early-season losses when winning the national championship.
In the season's opening first week, Alabama plays USC at Arlington, Texas. Notre Dame plays at Texas, Ole Miss plays at Florida State, Clemson plays at Auburn and Wisconsin plays LSU at Lambeau Field in Green Bay in an early-season sampling of national contenders playing each other.
Wrote Heather Dinich of ESPN.com, "This is what the College Football Playoff is all about -- strength of schedule -- and the teams that have dared to open the season against a marquee opponent have already earned credit in the eyes of the selection committee. A Week 1 win against a ranked opponent will resonate with the committee through November, as they take into account the "entire body of work." A Week 1 loss simply isn't the dagger it used to be -- who you lost to, where and how now matters to the 13 judges of the sport.".
Sports quiz
When did Tony Finau win his first PGA Tour event?
Answer
March 27 at the Puerto Rico Open
Sports on 05/30/2016