January 13, 2026
After a frustrating year that included only three finishes inside the top 25, Tom Kim's tour membership is on life support. His 70th ranking in strokes gained on approach (+0.152) and 33rd ranking in strokes gained around the green (+0.197) weren't enough to overcome the abysmal game off the tee and on the greens. Kim was too inaccurate with the driver when compared to his middling distance, and he's never been one to make a whole lot of putts. He needs a solid year to get back into the fold of golf's elite, but until we see signs of life, he'll need to remain in DFS purgatory.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
January 13, 2026
After losing most of last season to a hip surgery in May, Billy Horschel was able to sneak in a few events before the year ended. He last played at the Hero World Challenge in December, following his participation in a couple of fall events. Due to the lack of data, opinions about his ability this week will be more rooted in feelings than statistics. However, it is unquestioned that the things Horschel has done well throughout his career are what should spell success at Waialae. The 39-year-old closed out the year with an average of +0.81 strokes gained putting and +0.52 strokes gained on approach. If that trend continues, there's no reason to think he can't make a run at an early victory this week.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
January 13, 2026
While there were some solid finishes last season for Corey Conners, it wasn't exactly up to the same level of play that we had come to expect. The Canadian's ball-striking prowess slipped a little in 2025, ranking 39th in strokes gained on approach (+0.315), which was his lowest performance output since the 2017-2018 season. For a guy who lives and dies by the ability to hit quality approach shots to take pressure off a mediocre putter, if he isn't top 15 in approach, we're probably going to see a similar outcome this year. However, expect Conners to figure it out and get back to contending for leads. He is making his eighth start in this event, where he has had plenty of success outside of last year's missed cut. It will again come down to what he does on the greens. For someone looking for solid upside, the 34-year-old is a decent option to start the new season.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
January 13, 2026
After a breakthrough season in 2025, Chris Gotterup will begin his new season at the year's first event. We've already seen him take some swings with his involvement in the early TGL season as well, but that's very different than playing actual 72-hole competitions. His highlights last season were unsurprisingly heavy in success off the tee, as he was the seventh-longest hitter on tour (316.7) and ranked ninth in strokes gained off the tee (+0.566). The low ranking in putting and approach play was marred by a rough start to the year, but improved as things went along, culminating in a victory at the Scottish Open. While distance doesn't always spell success at Waialae Country Club, the game he showed as things were wrapping up shows he's more than capable of having success in other ways.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
January 13, 2026
Gary Woodland always seems to produce positive numbers. The American golfer only had one Top 10 result in 2025 but was T-16 at last year's Sony Open. He did have three straight Top 25 finishes to start off 2025. One of the big reasons was his ability to hit off the tee. Overall, he ranked 18th in driving distance (313 yards). That is impressive for someone in their early 40's. Waialae features a few holes where driving well is an asset. Yes, accuracy concerns are always lurking (59% -115th last season). His overall birdie average was troubling at 3.7 (142nd). However, when Woodland is hitting the ball well he is capable of shooting all four rounds in the 60's.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
January 13, 2026
Keith Mitchell often lingers around contending at events like the Sony Open. However, the American golfer finished 30th in 2025. The worst thing probably was the time off after the Grant Thornton Invitational. Mitchell had fired eight straight rounds in the 60's and his form was solid. Now, he has to start all over again this week in Hawaii. Mitchell's 29.08 putts per round in 2025 was high but slightly improved from the 29.33 in 2024. It explains a lot of the up and down in the past. His most balanced event was the Truist Championship last year where he finished T-7. Waialae is not an extremely tough course unless the birdies do not fall. It may be wise to fade Mitchell this time around.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
January 13, 2026
Robert MacIntyre came close several times to winning in 2025. The golfer from Scotland finished inside the Top 10 six times on the PGA Tour. He did win over in Europe at the Alfred Dunhill in October. However, he only finished T-7 at The Open. That one stung MacIntyre who felt he was better that week. Courses that favor high birdie volume do not suit him often, however. His putting strokes gained was less than optimal in Hawaii in 2025. That included losing 1.37 at the Sony Open alone. Macintyre was off putting in 2025 compared to 2024. He lost more than a half a putt per round and his one-putt percentage dipped under 40%. If those numbers pick up, MacIntyre makes a nice DFS choice this week.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
January 13, 2026
Michael Kim did not win on the PGA Tour in 2025. The American golfer did have four Top 10 results. Kim did end up tied for second at the WM Phoenix Classic. It was one of two events where the golfer shot all four rounds in the 60's in 2025. VidantaWorld in Mexico was the other. When it came to the Sony Open last season, Kim started off with a 73 which caused him to miss the cut. Poor starts happened pretty often in signature and major events. There was that 77 at the Farmers. Even at the Arnold Palmer, Kim had to recover from an opening round 75. One cannot start slow at Waialae. That may tend to cause Kim to be faded in DFS and betting circles this week.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
January 13, 2026
Tom Hoge had three top-10 results in the first half of 2025. The American golfer had a chance to win the Valero Texas Open until a 76 dropped him to a T5. It was his most balanced performance of 2025. Again, his second half was littered with misfortune. He missed all three cuts in July and six of eight events in a 2 1/2-month span. Driving accuracy and driving length were two significant issues. The Sony Open measures 7,044 yards and is a par 70. However, the accuracy of 60.54% in 2025 ranked 93rd. It was 96th in 2024, and Hoge consistently drives the ball around 296 yards. If his accuracy is solid, Hoge is a nice DFS option. If it is not, then look out.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
January 13, 2026
Brian Harman did not get off to the best start in 2025. The American golfer started with a 75-74 at The Sentry. Thankfully, that event was canceled for this season. Harman ended up at the Valero in April and made 20 of 24 cuts in 2025. At the Sony Open, he was around the top 10 for most of the event until a final-round 71 derailed his chances. Harman was around the average of PGA golfers when it came to strokes gained in 2025. The one worry is when his putter is bad, it can get disastrous. He lost more than two strokes at the Sentry, then lost 1.98 strokes at the RSM Classic in November. These bad streaks can happen at any time, which must be avoided at Waialae.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
January 13, 2026
Eric Cole finished inside the top 10 four times in 2025. The American golfer was on a bit of a roller coaster, however. Cole finished fifth at last season's Sony Open. His 1.27 strokes gained to putting was probably his best effort until the spring. Waialae was a course where Cole felt comfortable. His approach to the green in 2025 gained 1.45 strokes. Placing the ball in birdie opportunity is prime in an event like this. With a stacked field, Cole will need to make birdies early. He finished sixth in putts per round on tour (28.03) and fifth in one-putt percentage (44.24%). That will be vital to his DFS and betting fortunes this weekend in Hawaii.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
January 13, 2026
Daniel Berger is just one player in a stacked field at this year's Sony Open. The American golfer had two Top 10 results in 2025. This was led by overall strokes gained ranked 44th on tour. Berger's one weakness has always been putting. He was 135th last year and 163rd in strokes gained to putting in 2024. The golfer drives the ball about 303 yards and got on the fairway 66.24% of the time (25th on tour). His nearly five yard boost in distance from 2024 should help at Waialae Country Club. The problem is the birdies. Berger missed the cut in Hawaii last year despite back-to-back 69's. Again, the key is putting. Four round totals for the winner are typically in the high 250's to low 260's.
--Chris Wassel - RotoBallerSource: PGATour.com
January 12, 2026
Less than a month after departing LIV Golf, Brooks Koepka has announced via social media that he will return to the PGA Tour for the 2026 season. His reinstatement to the PGA Tour is part of a new "Returning Member Program" that includes several stipulations for qualified players. Under the terms of the agreement, the five-time major champion must make a $5 million donation to charity, as well as forfeit any shares in the Tour's Player Equity Program for the next five years. Koepka will also be ineligible for the FedEx Cup Bonus Program this season and can only earn entry into 2026 Signature Events via on-course performance. He is expected to begin his 2026 campaign at the Farmers Insurance Open, followed by the WM Phoenix Open.
--Joe Nicely - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
December 24, 2025
Brooks Koepka will depart LIV Golf following the 2025 season, citing family reasons and the desire to spend more time at home. The five-time major champion was among LIV's most high-profile early signings when he left the PGA Tour in 2022. During his time with the league, he captured the 2023 PGA Championship and earned five individual LIV titles. However, the 35-year-old largely struggled this year, missing the cut in three of his four major championship appearances. Koepka's competitive plans for 2026 remain unclear, though he is fully exempt for all major championships through at least 2028, fueling speculation about an eventual return to the PGA Tour.
--Joe Nicely - RotoBallerSource: Golf Channel
December 11, 2025
Si Woo Kim had a busy 2025, playing in 30 events and recording 13 top-25 finishes. His overall numbers were nearly identical to 2024, finishing 25th in total strokes gained (+0.751 per round), compared to 26th (+0.761) last year. Kim was strong off the tee and on approach, but putting continued to hold him back, ranking just 161st and losing -0.367 strokes per round. He had some standout moments, including an impressive T8 at the PGA Championship and a T4 at the RSM Classic to close out his season, though he missed the cut at The Open and finished T42 at the U.S. Open. If he can tighten up his putting in 2026, Kim has the game to be in contention frequently and build on what was otherwise a solid season.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
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