(Photo credit score: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)
The PGA Tour season will open every week later than anticipated when the Sony Open in Hawaii tees off Thursday in Honolulu.
The Sentry (beforehand the Sentry Tournament of Champions) has historically kicked off the skilled golf season within the first full week of January, however the signature occasion was canceled this yr as a result of drought situations on the island of Maui.
Instead, the season opener is a extra muted affair at Waialae Country Club, although 10 of the highest 25 gamers within the Official World Golf Rankings are within the discipline.
Among them are U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, 2022 Sony Open winner Hideki Matsuyama of Japan and two-time main champion Collin Morikawa, who has familial ties to the islands.
‘It all began in Lahaina on Maui. That is the place my grandparents have been born, that is the place my great-grandparents lived, and, you recognize, just about (spent their) whole lives,’ Morikawa stated.
‘It’s terrible to see sort of what has occurred during the last, let’s name it three years with the fires, seeing the lack of Front Street, clearly us not being there. … Hopefully we’ll be again. The crowd out right here, the followers, the tradition, I really like popping out right here. Like I stated, it is good to be again on the Sony Open.’
The tour’s Hawaiian swing is rumored to be on the chopping block if it contracts the schedule in future seasons, between the scenario in Maui and the truth that Sony’s title sponsorship of the Honolulu occasion ends this yr.
‘It simply makes you notice, keep current this week and luxuriate in it as a lot as you possibly can and see what sort of reminiscences we will make. Hopefully lastly discover a solution to win on the islands out right here,’ Morikawa stated.
Morikawa is only one of various big-name golfers making an attempt to begin 2026 off on the best foot after disappointing stretches. Jordan Spieth, who hasn’t gained a match in almost 4 years, is taking part in the Sony for the primary time since lacking the minimize in 2023. South Korea’s Tom Kim fell out of the highest 100 on the earth after a poor 2025 season.
The top-ranked gamers on the property are World No. 5 Russell Henley and No. 6 J.J. Spaun, the reigning U.S. Open champion. Both have been on the U.S. Ryder Cup workforce in September.
Back to defend his title is Nick Taylor of Canada, who compelled a playoff with Colombia’s Nicolas Echavarria by chipping in for eagle on the ultimate gap of regulation after which profitable on the second playoff gap.
Taylor spoke concerning the situations at Waialae, a par-70, 7,044-yard observe.
‘Greens are receptive proper now. I really feel like that is at all times sort of early within the week right here, after which if we do not get a lot rain the fairways actually agency up,’ Taylor stated. ‘The greens keep semi-receptive, however the problem is off the tee, discovering fairways. With the doglegs it is easy to chase them via and also you simply bought to be in place.
‘The course, once more, is sort of just like years previous.’
–Field Level Media