The Sony Open 2026: Complete Guide to Hawaii's Iconic PGA Tour Stop

The Sony Open in Hawaii returns in 2026 as the PGA Tour's first full-field event of the season, delivering seaside drama, tradewinds tactics, and primetime golf for fans around the world. Hosted at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, the Sony Open blends rich history with modern storylines as emerging talents clash with established stars on one of the Tour's most recognizable par-70 layouts.

This comprehensive, SEO-friendly guide covers everything you need to know: event overview, dates, venue and tee times, the 2026 field and defending champion, how to watch globally, odds and expert picks, daily highlights and live results, course characteristics, key stats, and the narratives that shaped the week.

Event Overview: What Is the Sony Open?

The Sony Open in Hawaii is a PGA Tour staple held annually at Waialae Country Club on Oahu. First contested in 1965, the event has crowned legends and launched new careers, all while showcasing one of the Tour's most precise tests of ball-striking and short-game artistry. With coastal winds, firm Bermuda greens, and strategic doglegs, Waialae rewards accuracy over brute power—making the Sony Open a data-lover's dream and a purist's delight.

Waialae Country Club's oceanside holes add both beauty and bite, with crosswinds shaping shot selection.

2026 Event Specifics: Dates, Venue, Tee Times, Field, Defending Champion, Course Details

Dates and Venue

Course Specs and Identity

Par/Yardage: Par 70, 7,044 yards
Surface: Bermuda greens; firm, fast, and wind-exposed
Signature traits: Strategic doglegs, narrow corridors, tradewind complexity, premium on driving accuracy and wedge proximity

A wide aerial look at Waialae Country Club—tight angles, well-protected greens, and ever-present wind.

Field of Players and Defending Champion

The 2026 Sony Open field features a deep mix of proven winners and rising talents. Notables include Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama (past champion, 2022 playoff), Russell Henley (former champion), Collin Morikawa, Adam Scott, Corey Conners, J.J. Spaun, Ben Griffin, and Chris Gotterup.

Nick Taylor captured the 2025 Sony Open, returning in 2026 as defending champion.

Tee Times (Round 4 Spotlight)

Final-round tee times fell between 12:10 p.m. and 6:05 p.m. ET, highlighted by the leaders teeing off into primetime windows on Golf Channel.

How to Watch: TV and Streaming Options Globally

The Sony Open's Honolulu primetime broadcasts make it one of the most watchable PGA Tour events for North American audiences.

International: Availability varies by region; check local rights holders (e.g., Sky Sports in the UK, Kayo/Fox Sports in Australia, DAZN/Discovery variants in select markets). Many regions carry Golf Channel's feed or PGA TOUR LIVE through ESPN+ or local partners.

Betting Odds, Expert Picks, and Fan Predictions

With Waialae's accuracy-first profile, markets tilted towards elite wedge players and precise putters. Pre-round markets featured Russell Henley and Ben Griffin among favorites, with strong backing for Hideki Matsuyama, J.J. Spaun, Robert MacIntyre, and others.

Sports Illustrated highlighted Ben Griffin (course fit and recent strokes-gained profile), Robert MacIntyre (elite form from late 2025), and Harry Hall (top-10 last year; putting spike candidate) as value plays.

Important reminder: Odds and lines are subject to change; always check your local regulated sportsbook.

Daily Highlights and Live Results

The 2026 Sony Open delivered a compact but compelling week of storylines:

Davis Riley leans into the wind and leads after 54 holes.

Riley's swing sequencing held up under crosswinds—critical at Waialae.

Key Statistics, Player Performance Summaries, and Narratives

Course fit and winning profiles

Waialae rewards:

• Driving accuracy and positional play (layups to preferred angles)

• Wedge proximity from 75–150 yards

• Bermuda putting from mid-range

• Wind-adjusted shotmaking: holding start lines and controlling curvature in tradewinds

With only two par-5s, scoring comes from par-4 optimization; many winners excel in SG: Approach and SG: Putting

Player Snapshots

Cut and Volatility

Prominent names missing the cut included Collin Morikawa, Chris Kirk, Tony Finau, Adam Schenk—underscoring Waialae's precision bias versus pure power.

Sony Open atmosphere—scoreboards, seaside galleries, and island light.

Historic Feats and Context

• Iconic winner list: From Masters champions to short-game savants, the Sony Open has spotlighted artistry over sheer distance

• Tradewind chess: Round-by-round shifts make Waialae a master class in trajectory control and patience

• Early-season signal: Strong Sony Open performances often foreshadow success in the West Coast swing, especially for precise approach players

The Sony Open brand is synonymous with early-season excellence and community impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Final Word

The Sony Open 2026 showcased everything fans love about early-season PGA Tour golf—precision, patience, wind-savvy shotmaking, and primetime drama along the Pacific. Whether you tuned in for elite approach play, the narratives around the defending champion, or the rise of players like Davis Riley and Chris Gotterup, Waialae once again delivered. Keep this guide handy for tee times, live results, viewing windows, and betting context as the Tour rolls into the West Coast swing.