(Photo credit score: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
The PGA Tour tees off its 2026 FedEx Cup schedule in Hawaii on Thursday, whereas the DP World Tour begins its International Swing with Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood highlighting the sphere in Dubai.
PGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: Sony Open in Hawaii, Honolulu, Jan. 15-18
Course: Waialae Country Club (Par 70, 7,044 Yards)
Purse: $9.1M (Winner: $1.638M)
Defending Champion: Nick Taylor
FedEx Cup Champion: Tommy Fleetwood
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Sunday, 7-10 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
Streaming: Thursday-Friday, Noon-10 p.m. ET; Saturday-Sunday, 12:15-10 p.m. (ESPN+)
X: @SonyOpenHawaii
NOTES: Traditionally the second half of the ‘Hawaiian Swing,’ this yr’s Sony Open serves because the season-opening FedEx Cup occasion with The Sentry cancelled on account of drought situations that impacted the Plantation Course at Kapalua. … A tour cease because the 1960, the way forward for the occasion is in query with Sony’s contract because the title sponsor expiring after this yr. … The subject consists of 20 of the highest 60 gamers within the Official World Golf Ranking, and 22 of the 24 new PGA Tour members in 2026. … This is the primary occasion of the Aon Swing 5. The high 5 gamers not in any other case exempt after the Sony Open, The American Express, the Farmers Insurance Open and the WM Phoenix Open will qualify for the primary two signature occasions of the yr on the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational. … Taylor is in search of to change into the primary participant to efficiently defend at Waialae since Jimmy Walker in 2014-15. He chipped in for eagle to power a playoff in opposition to Nico Echavarria final yr. … Jordan Spieth returns to the Sony Open for the primary time since 2023. … Justin Thomas holds the match scoring report of 253 set in 2017, when he opened the occasion with a 59.
BEST BETS: Russell Henley (+1100 at DraftKings) is the top-ranked participant within the subject at No. 5. He has gained at Waialae, though it got here again in 2013. … Hideki Matsuyama (+1700) has loved success in Hawaii, together with profitable The Sentry final yr and the Sony Open in 2022. He additionally gained his most up-to-date occasion on the Hero World Challenge final month. … Ben Griffin (+1700) gained his most up-to-date tour occasion on the World Wide Technology Championship and is a career-best eighth on the planet. … J.J. Spaun (+1800) opens the yr ranked sixth on the planet. He is coming off a T4 within the Bahamas and tied for third right here final yr. … Collin Morikawa (+2000) returns for the primary time since a T7 in 2021. His father, Blaine, is a Japanese-American from Hawaii.
Last Tournament: The RSM Classic (Sami Valimaki)
Next Tournament: The American Express, La Quinta, Calif., Jan. 22-25
DP WORLD TOUR
THIS WEEK: Dubai Invitational, Jan. 15-18
Course: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai (Par 71, 7,059 Yards)
Purse: $2.75M
Defending Champion: Tommy Fleetwood (2024)
Race to Dubai Leader: Jayden Schaper
HOW TO FOLLOW
TV: Thursday-Sunday: 12:30-5:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
X: @DPWorldTour
NOTES: The biennial occasion is the beginning of the DP World Tour’s International Swing and consists of 60 professionals and 60 amateurs. The first three days of competitors will likely be in a pro-am format. … The subject consists of World No. 2 Rory McIlroy and No. 3 Fleetwood, who can also be a Dubai resident. Fleetwood beat McIlroy by a shot two years in the past when the Northern Irishman discovered the water on the 72nd gap. … Schaper, who claimed his maiden DP World Tour title on the Alfred Dunhill Championship in December, is in search of to affix Nick Faldo and Seve Ballesteros as the one gamers to win three consecutive occasions because the tour’s inception in 1972. Both of Schaper’s wins have are available playoffs, and adopted a T2 on the Nedbank Golf Challenge.
Last Tournament: AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open (Schaper)
Next Tournament: Hero Dubai Desert Classic, Jan. 22-25
LPGA TOUR
THIS WEEK: OFF.
Race to the CME Globe Champion: Jeeno Thitikul
Last Tournament: CME Group Tour Championship (Thitikul)
Next Tournament: Tournament of Champions, Orlando, Fla., Jan. 29-Feb. 1
LIV GOLF LEAGUE
THIS WEEK: OFF.
Season Winners: Individual: Jon Rahm; Team: Legion XIII
Last Tournament: Team Championship (Legion XIII)
Next Tournament: LIV Golf Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Feb. 5-7
PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS
THIS WEEK: OFF.
Charles Schwab Cup Champion: Stewart Cink
Last Tournament: Charles Schwab Cup Championship (Cink)
Next Tournament: Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, Ka’upulehu-Kona, Hawaii, Jan. 22-24
–Field Level Media