Tony Finau, one of the PGA TOUR’s most recognizable stars, was finishing up his practice work on Wednesday of tournament week just before the start of the 2018 WM Phoenix Open.

Finau found himself on the practice range getting ready for the week. He was standing on the back of the range shooting the breeze with his caddie and family that was in town to watch him play. He looked over and noticed Patterson – a WM Phoenix Open volunteer for the past decade – picking up the name-frames for PGA TOUR players position on the practice range and putting them into a golf cart. It was the last task of Patterson’s duties as a WM Phoenix Open volunteer that day.

“I was looking forward to a good week at TPC Scottsdale and at the WM Phoenix Open. I played a 9-hole pro-am in the afternoon, but decided I needed a little more practice,” said Finau. “I was standing and talking to my friends and family when of a sudden I heard a scream. I looked over and someone was under a golf cart. My coach and my uncle literally sprinted – I was third to the cart – to lift the cart off of [him].”

A name-frame had fallen off the cart and onto the gas pedal, forcing the golf cart forward and onto Patterson. Patterson sustained serious injuries from the cart, but has since made a full recovery.

“I think he saved my life. I was very lucky,” said Patterson. “He was my guardian angel.”