2026 Sony Open Fantasy and Betting Preview: Key Stats, Course Breakdown, Tournament Trends, TV Times, and More

2026 Sony Open betting and fantasy golf preview with key stats, Waialae course breakdown, full field analysis, and TV times for this week’s PGA TOUR event. Patrick's top fantasy golf picks and predictions for the 2026 Sony Open.

The 2026 PGA TOUR season gets underway this week in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club. In recent years, The Sentry has served as the traditional season opener, but that event was cancelled this year due to ongoing drought conditions and water-related concerns. As a result, the Sony Open in Hawaii takes center stage as the first official PGA TOUR stop of the new season.

For those who have followed my work in the past, you know my betting picks are usually included within this article. This year will be a little different, as my official plays will be part of our RotoBaller PGA Premium offerings. To get access to my top plays throughout the 2026 season, check out our awesome options now. If you are new here, the purpose of this preview is to provide a complete breakdown of everything you need to know about this week’s event. From course details and key statistics to historical trends and field insights, this article is designed to serve as a guide or at least a strong starting point as you build your betting card or DFS lineups.

With a fresh season upon us and plenty of opportunity on the board, let’s dive into the 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii and get you fully prepared for the opening week of the PGA TOUR season.

Tournament Information

• Dates: January 15th – January 18th, 2025
• Location: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
• Course: Waialae Country Club
• Course Type: Coastal
• Par: 70 (4x 3’s / 12x 4’s / 2x 5’s)
• Length: 7,044 yards
• Format: 72-hole stroke play
• Greens: Bermudagrass .120”
• Fairways: Bermudagrass .400”
• Rough: Bermudagrass 3.5”
• Bunkers: 83
• Water Hazard(s): 4 (In-Play on 5 Holes)
• Average Green Size: 7,100 sq. ft.
• Stimpmeter: 11.0 ft.
• Purse/ Winner: $9,100,000/$1,638,000
• FedEx Cup Points: 500
• Field: 120 Players
• Cut: Top 65 and Ties – 36 Holes
• Playoff Format: Sudden Death – 18, 18 (then 10, 11, 18, 10, 11, 18)
• Course Scoring Average:
  • 2025: 68.73 (-1.27), Rank 32 of 50
  • 2024: 68.82 (-1.18), Rank 27 of 51
  • 2023: 68.87 (-1.13), Rank 34 of 49
• Historic Cut Line:
  • 2025: -2
  • 2024: -2
  • 2023: -2

Course Information

Course Architect:

• Course Architect: Seth Raynor (1927)
• Renovations: Over the years changes have been made by Robert Trent Jones, Desmond Muirhead, Rick Smith, Tom Doak

Comparable Courses:

• Sedgefield Country Club – Wyndham Championship – RESULTS
• Sea Island Golf Club – RSM Classic – RESULTS
• Harbour Town Golf Links – RBC Heritage – RESULTS

Comparable Location (Honolulu, Hawaii):

• Kapalua Resort (Plantation Course) – Lahaina, Hawaii, United States – The Sentry

Designer Link (Seth Raynor (1927) ):

• The Greenbrier (The Old White) – Seth Raynor (1914) – Greenbrier Classic

Comparable Yardage (7,044 Yards):

• Hurstbourne Country Club – 7,056 Yards – ISCO Championship
• Spyglass Hill Golf Course – 7,041 Yards – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
• Sea Island Golf Club (Plantation Course) – 7,060 Yards – The RSM Classic

Comparable Greens (Bermudagrass .120”):

• PGA National Resort (The Champion Course) – TifEagle bermudagrass .080” – Cognizant Classic
• Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge – TifEagle bermudagrass .110” – Arnold Palmer Invitational
• Dunes Golf and Beach Club – Champion ultradwarf bermudagrass .100” – ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic
• Sedgefield Country Club – Champion bermudagrass .120” – Wyndham Championship
• TPC Southwind – TifEagle bermudagrass .090” – FedEx St. Jude Championship
• East Lake Golf Club – TifEagle bermudagrass .115” – TOUR Championship
• The Country Club of Jackson – Champion bermudagrass .110” – Sanderson Farms Championship
• Port Royal Golf Course – Tif Eagle bermudagrass .125” – Butterfield Bermuda Championship
• Sea Island Golf Club – Tif Eagle bermudagrass – The RSM Classic

Comparable Average Green Size (7,100 sq. ft.):

• TPC Scottsdale (Stadium Course) – 7, 069 sq. ft. – WM Phoenix Open
• PGA WEST (Nicklaus Tournament Course) – 7, 000 sq. ft. – The American Express
• Vidanta Vallarta – 7, 000 sq. ft. – Mexico Open at Vidanta
• Memorial Park Golf Course – 7, 000 sq. ft. – Texas Children’s Houston Open
• The Renaissance Club – 7, 000 sq. ft. – Genesis Scottish Open

TV Information (all times ET)

• Round 1: Thursday, January 15th, 2026
  • ESPN+ – 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Round 2: Friday, January 16th, 2026
  • ESPN+ – 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Round 3: Saturday, January 17th, 2026
  • ESPN+ – 12:15 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Round 4: Sunday, January 18th, 2026
  • ESPN+ – 12:15 PM – 7:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Course/ Tournament History

The Sony Open in Hawaii is one of the PGA Tour’s longest-standing tournaments, held annually at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu since its inception in 1965. Originally known as the Hawaiian Open, the event gained Sony as its title sponsor in 1999, making it a key stop on the Tour’s early-season schedule.

Waialae Country Club, located in Honolulu, Hawaii, is one of the most iconic venues on the PGA Tour. Established in 1927 and designed by Seth Raynor, the course boasts a rich history of hosting professional golf events, most notably serving as the home of the Sony Open in Hawaii since 1965. Known for its picturesque setting along the Pacific Ocean, Waialae blends stunning coastal views with a challenging layout that rewards precision over power. The course features narrow fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and small greens, emphasizing accuracy and shot-making. Waialae is one of the few courses on the PGA Tour that plays to a par 70 and is renowned for its classic design, which has remained largely unchanged over the years, preserving its traditional charm.

Previous Tournament Venues:

Previous Tournament Names:

Tournament Records:

• 72-Hole Record (Sony Open in Hawaii):
  • 253, Justin Thomas (2017)
• 18-Hole Record (Sony Open in Hawaii):
  • 59, Justin Thomas (Round 1, 2017)

• Largest Margin of Victory (Sony Open in Hawaii):
  • 9 Strokes – Jimmy Walker (2015)
• Largest Margin of Victory (Waialae Country Club):
  • 9 Strokes – Jimmy Walker (2015)

• Most Wins at Event:
  • 2 – Hubert Green (1978, 1979), Corey Pavin (1986, 1987), Lanny Wadkins (1988, 1991), Ernie Els (2003, 2004), Jimmy Walker (2014, 2015)

Course Records:

• 72-Hole Record (Waialae Country Club):
  • 253, Justin Thomas (2017)
• 18-Hole Record (Waialae Country Club):
  • 59, Justin Thomas (Round 1, 2017)

Course Guide/ Scorecard

Waialae Country Club plays to a modest 7,044 yards, making it the shortest layout on the PGA TOUR schedule this season. Despite its limited length, the course presents a unique challenge thanks to its design and the ever-present coastal conditions. The greens are amongst the largest on TOUR, averaging nearly 7,100 square feet, which encourages aggressive approach play.

There are 83 bunkers scattered strategically across the property, the thirteenth most on TOUR, and water comes into play on five holes. Still, the true defense of Waialae Country Club isn’t its bunkering or water hazards, but rather the swirling winds off the Pacific Ocean. Those gusts can vary hole to hole and even minute to minute, forcing players to constantly adjust club selection and shot trajectory.

Notable Par 3s

The four Par 3s at Waialae Country Club range from 176 to 204 yards, placing a premium on precision and smart club selection. In last year’s Sony Open, every Par 3 had a scoring average over par except No. 7.

Hole 7 | Par 3 | 176 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 2.968 (Difficulty Rank – 8)

The second of the par-3s on the tournament’s front nine, this green is as wide as the par-3 hole #4 is long. Originally, this green was completely surrounded by sand, giving the hole its name. Bunkers still wrap around the entire front side of this green with a lone bunker on the backside. A deep ridge on the front of the green runs laterally front to back.

Hole 17 | Par 3 | 194 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.03 (Difficulty Rank – 7)

The most scenic hole at Waialae bears the name of the Sony Open fire-bird according to Hawaiian lore. Hole #17 is a very difficult par-3 requiring a long or middle iron. The green features the original Seth Raynor design which is a classic Redan-style green with a large bunker on the left and a series of three deep, hidden bunkers guarding the right. Par-3 is a good score here, especially in the final round.

Notable Par 4s

Waialae Country Club features twelve par 4s, most of which are listed between 400-500 yards. Strategy plays a major role, particularly on holes that offer tempting risk-reward opportunities. In 2025, the only four par 4s had a scoring average over par (No. 15, No. 6, No. 2, and No. 13).

Hole 1 | Par 4 | 480 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average:  3.945 (Difficulty Rank – 9)

This hole was originally designed in 1927 by Seth Raynor with the famous Road Hole of St. Andrews, Scotland in mind. The forward tee constructed in 1999 makes this former par-5 hole play as a par-4 and 1/2! Depending on the wind, the second shot to a very shallow green guarded in front by a deep bunker and a bunker surrounding
the right half of the green can be played with anything from a 3-wood to a 9-iron.

Hole 16 | Par 4 | 417 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.913 (Difficulty Rank – 12)

The best place for the drive is on the right side of the fairway. The second shot is a short iron played to a green framed by the Pacific Ocean and several large palm trees. This hole is considered the signature hole at Waialae

Notable Par 5s

There are only two Par 5’s on the course, No. 9 and No. 18. Both of these holes had a scoring average under par in 2025. No. 9 was the easiest hole on the course last year with a scoring average of 0.672 below par.

Hole 9 | Par 5 | 506 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average:  4.328 (Difficulty Rank – 18)

Normally played as hole #18 by Waialae members, this par-5 requires accuracy on both the drive and the second shots. O.B. runs down the left side of the fairway and a red penalty area down the right. A strong left-to-right wind makes this hole even tougher. It is reachable in 2 strokes, however, and has given up its share of birdies.

Hole 18 | Par 5 | 551 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.388  (Difficulty Rank – 17)

A great finishing hole! Isao Aoki proved this in 1983 with a spectacular eagle for his victory. Aoki knocked it in from 128 yards out, but this hole is reachable in 2 strokes. A bunker set in the dog-leg makes the drive off the tee a “thinking shot.” A second shot can be played straight downwind to the green.

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 16

Key Statistics

As the Sony Open returns to Waialae Country Club, understanding how the course compares to PGA TOUR averages can help identify which players are best suited for success. Here’s how the Waialae Country Club stacks up statistically:

Strokes Gained: Off the Tee

• Success this week will hinge on players’ ability to position themselves effectively off the tee. While the course’s considerable length underscores the significance of distance, precision holds equal importance.
  • Leaders in SG: Off the Tee (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Pierceson Coody
    • Rico Hoey
    • Kevin Yu
    • Jake Knapp
    • Chris Gotterup
    • Adam Scott
    • Jordan L. Smith
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Patrick Rodgers
    • Michael Brennan

Strokes Gained: Approach

• Approach play continues to be one of the most reliable indicators of success at Waialae Country Club. Even with some of the larger greens on TOUR, players who consistently hit their irons close create the best scoring opportunities and separate themselves from the field.
  • Leaders in SG: Approach (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Rico Hoey
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Kurt Kitayama
    • Russell Henley
    • Ben Griffin
    • Austin Smotherman
    • Ryan Gerard
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Mac Meissner

Strokes Gained: Around the Green

• Even though Waialae Country Club features some of the larger greens on TOUR, players are bound to miss their targets this week due to the swirling Pacific winds and elevation changes. A sharp short game will be essential to save pars and maintain momentum.
  • Leaders in SG: Around the Green (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Russell Henley
    • Patton Kizzire
    • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Harry Hall
    • Kazuki Higa
    • Mac Meissner
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Tony Finau
    • Chris Kirk
    • Alejandro Tosti

Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass)

•  Waialae Country Club features Bermudagrass greens.
  • Leaders in SG: Putting (Bermudagrass) (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Harry Hall
    • Nicolas Echavarria
    • Denny McCarthy
    • Matti Schmid
    • Robert MacIntyre
    • Gary Woodland
    • Ben Griffin
    • Vince Whaley
    • Matthew McCarty
    • Zach Johnson

Fairways Gained

• Waialae Country Club is one of the shorter courses on the PGA TOUR. Historical data has shown that accuracy off the tee is much more important than trying to overpower this course off the tee.
  • Leaders in Fairways Gained (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Aaron Rai
    • David Ford
    • Takumi Kanaya
    • Russell Henley
    • Brice Garnett
    • Si Woo Kim
    • Zach Johnson
    • Brian Campbell
    • Doug Ghim
    • Daniel Berger

Par 3 Scoring: 175-200 Yards

• Two of the four Par 3’s at Waialae Country Club range between 175-200 Yards.
  • Leaders in Par 3 Scoring: 175-200 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Harry Hall
    • Cameron Davis
    • Rico Hoey
    • Peter Malnati
    • Sahith Theegala
    • Matti Schmid
    • Adrien Saddier
    • Seonghyeon Kim
    • Ben Griffin
    • John Keefer

Par 4 Scoring: 400-500 Yards

• Ten of the twelve Par 4's at Waialae Country Club range between 400-500 Yards.
  • Leaders in Par 4 Scoring: 400-450 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Chris Kirk
    • Takumi Kanaya
    • Ben Griffin
    • Mark Hubbard
    • Matthew McCarty
    • Pierceson Coody
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Michael Kim
    • Denny McCarthy
    • Jake Knapp
  • Leaders in Par 4 Scoring: 450-500 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Jake Knapp
    • Russell Henley
    • Jordan Spieth
    • Pierceson Coody
    • Keith Mitchell
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Jordan L. Smith
    • Chris Gotterup
    • Adrien Saddier
    • William Mouw

Par 5 Scoring: 500-550 Yards

• Both of the par 5s at Waialae Country Club range between 500 and 550 yards, making them reachable in two shots for longer hitters. Capitalizing on these scoring opportunities is essential for staying competitive.
  • Leaders in Par 5 Scoring: 500-550 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Nicolas Echavarria
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Mac Meissner
    • Chris Gotterup
    • Neal Shipley
    • John VanDerLaan
    • Seonghyeon Kim
    • Jacob Bridgeman
    • Austin Smotherman
    • Jordan L. Smith

Birdies or Better Gained

• This stat is a key measure of scoring potential, especially at Waialae Country Club, where winning totals often fall between 16 and 18 under par. Contenders must consistently capitalize on scoring chances and pile up birdies.
  • Leaders in Birdies or Better Gained (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Harry Hall
    • J.J. Spaun
    • Keith Mitchell
    • Ben Griffin
    • Chris Gotterup
    • Robert MacIntyre
    • Kurt Kitayama
    • Adrien Saddier
    • Jordan Spieth
    • Matti Schmid

Bogey Avoidance

• While birdies are key, minimizing mistakes is just as important at Waialae Country Club. In windy conditions, avoiding bogeys can be the difference between contending and missing the cut.
  • Leaders in Bogey Avoidance (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Ben Griffin
    • Vince Whaley
    • Harry Hall
    • Aaron Rai
    • Corey Conners
    • John VanDerLaan
    • Russell Henley
    • Ricky Castillo
    • Ryo Hisatsune
    • Mark Hubbard

Proximity Gained: 125-175 Yards

• Waialae Country Club sees a significantly higher volume of approach shots from the 125-175 yard range compared to the PGA Tour average.
  • Leaders in Proximity Gained 125-150 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Chandler Phillips
    • Austin Smotherman
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Gary Woodland
    • Seamus Power
    • Mac Meissner
    • Matthew McCarty
    • Maverick McNealy
    • Zecheng Dou
    • Austin Eckroat
  • Leaders in Proximity Gained 150-175 Yards (Last 24 Rounds):
    • Corey Conners
    • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Daniel Berger
    • Harry Hall
    • Collin Morikawa
    • Matti Schmid
    • Bud Cauley
    • Keegan Bradley
    • Tom Hoge
    • Lee Hodges

Comparable Courses and Event History

• These are your course specialists, players who’ve consistently performed well at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Based on the chart above, past results at Waialae Country Club are strong indicators of future success at this venue.
  • Leaders in SG: Total – Waialae Country Club (Last 5 Editions):
    • Russell Henley
    • Nick Taylor
    • Hideki Matsuyama
    • Chris Kirk
    • Keith Mitchell
    • Keegan Bradley
    • Si Woo Kim
    • Adam Svensson
    • Nicolas Echavarria
    • Eric Cole

The Field

The 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii features a full field of 120 players, highlighted by several of the top golfers in the world. The field is led by Russell Henley (World No. 5), J.J. Spaun (World No. 6), Robert MacIntyre (World No. 7), and Ben Griffin (World No. 8). Defending champion Nick Taylor is also back at Waialae this week, looking to successfully defend his title after last season’s victory.

The field also includes a mix of rising talent and familiar names. Johnny Keefer, who finished first in the Korn Ferry Tour rankings last season, makes his Sony Open debut after a breakout year. Additionally, Vijay Singh joins the field via the career money exemption, marking a rare PGA TOUR appearance. This will be Singh’s first TOUR start since the 2024 Masters, and his first non major PGA TOUR appearance since 2020, adding a unique storyline to an already intriguing opening event of the season.

Basis of qualification for each entrant this week:

• Winner - PGA/U.S. Open Championship
• Winner - Masters Tournament
• Winner - British Open
• Winners of the Arnold Palmer, Memorial, Genesis (Last 3 Years )
• Tournament winner in past two seasons
• Past Champion of Respective Event
• Top 70 on Prior Years FedExCup Points List
• Top 100 on prior season FedExCup Fall Points List
• Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Designated Sponsor Exemption
• PGA Section Champion\Player of the Year
• Leading 10 players (not otherwise exempt) on DP World Tour
• Top 20 Prior Season Korn Ferry Tour Points List
• Top 5 from PGA TOUR Q-School
• PGA TOUR University
• Top 30 on Prior Years FedExCup Points List
• Career Money Exemption
• Top 10 and Ties from the Previous Event
• 101-110 prior season FedExCup Fall Points List

Previous Winners in the Field (Event):

• Nick Taylor – 2025
• Si Woo Kim – 2023
• Hideki Matsuyama – 2022
• Matt Kuchar – 2019
• Patton Kizzire – 2018
• Russell Henley – 2013
• Zach Johnson – 2009
• Vijay Singh – 2005

Players with Ties to Hawaii in the Field:

Birthplace:

• Corey Kozuma – Honolulu, Hawaii

College:

• Corey Kozuma – University of Hawaii–Hilo
• Kota Kaneko – University of Hawaii

Debutants in the Field:

• A.J. Ewart, Adrien Saddier, Anson Cabello, Chandler Blanchet, Christo Lamprecht, Corey Kozuma, Daniel Brown, David Ford, Davis Chatfield, Emilio Gonzalez, Gordon Sargent, Jeffrey Kang, John Parry, John VanDerLaan, Johnny Keefer, Jordan L Smith, Kota Kaneko, Kristoffer Reitan, Marcelo Rozo, Michael Brennan, Neal Shipley, Pontus Nyholm, Ren Yonezawa, Seungtaek Lee, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Taisei Nagasaki, Zach Bauchou.

Exemptions:

• Anson Cabello: Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Kazuki Higa: Designated Sponsor Exemption
• Zach Johnson: Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Kota Kaneko: Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Taisei Nagasaki: Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Vijay Singh: Career Money Exemption
• Yuta Sugiura: Designated Sponsor Exemption
• Ren Yonezawa: Designated Sponsor Exemption

Notable Withdraws/ Changes:

• Kevin Yu (WD) -> Isaiah Salinda (IN)

The Odds

Here’s a breakdown of the top players in the field for this year’s Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club, ranked by current betting odds (via DraftKings). The table below details each player’s five most recent finishes on the PGA TOUR and their last result at the Sony Open in Hawaii. My top plays of the week are included in the TeeOffSports VIP+ PGA Premium package.

Recent Horses for Courses

Recent Donkeys for Courses

Previous Winners' Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament)

• 2025: Nick Taylor (-16)
  • Price:  125-1

• 2024: Grayson Murray (-17)
  • Price: 400-1

• 2023: Si Woo Kim (-18)
  • Price: 45-1

• 2022: Hideki Matsuyama (-23)
  • Price: 20-1

• 2021: Kevin Na (-21)
  • Price: 80-1

Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts)

• 2025: Nick Taylor
  • T48 – The Sentry (PGA)
  • MC – Butterfield Bermuda Championship (PGA)
  • T33 – ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP (PGA)
  • T54 – Shriners Children’s Open (PGA)
  • T25 – Black Desert Championship (PGA)

• 2024: Grayson Murray
  • MC – The RSM Classic (PGA)
  • WD – Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship (KFT)
  • WON – Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation (KFT)
  • T26 – Albertsons Boise Open (KFT)
  • MC – Magnit Championship (KFT)

• 2023: Si Woo Kim
  • T35 – Cadence Bank Houston Open (PGA)
  • T52 – THE CJ CUP in South Carolina (PGA)
  • T45 – ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP (PGA)
  • T8 – Shriners Children’s Open (PGA)
  • T5 – The 38th Shinhan Donghae Open (ASA)

• 2022: Hideki Matsuyama
  • T13 – Sentry Tournament of Champions (PGA)
  • WON – ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP (PGA)
  • T59 – THE CJ CUP (PGA)
  • T67 – Shriners Children’s Open (PGA)
  • T6 – Fortinent Championship (PGA)

• 2021: Kevin Na
  • T38 – Sentry Tournament of Champions (PGA)
  • T13 – The Masters (MAJ)
  • T28 – ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP (PGA)
  • T45 – THE CJ CUP (PGA)
  • T43 – Shriners Hospital for Children Open (PGA)

Previous Winners' Finishes at Event

2025: Nick Taylor

2024: Grayson Murray

2023: Si Woo Kim

2022: Hideki Matsuyama

2021: Kevin Na

Best of luck, and as always, you can find me on Twitter/X @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting!