The new 2026 PGA Tour year starts this weekend in Hawaii as the players gear up to take on the Sony Open. With Kapalua the traditional opener cancelled, this tournament takes on added significance as players begin their campaigns and look to set an early benchmark for the year
A number of leading names are in action, and competition is expected to be strong. Below, we assess the week from a betting perspective and highlight a few plays for your consideration.
Course
The Sony Open is contested at Waialae Country Club, a classic par-70 parkland layout measuring just over 7,000 yards (6,441 metres). While it is one of the shorter courses on the PGA Tour by modern standards, it consistently proves challenging due to its narrow fairways, small greens, and exposure to coastal winds from the Pacific Ocean.
Accuracy is the overriding theme at Waialae. Fairways are tight and tree-lined, placing a premium on driving precision rather than raw power. Players who stray too far offline are quickly punished, either by thick rough or awkward angles into the greens. Although water hazards only come into play on five holes, they are strategically positioned to influence decision-making, particularly on approach shots.
The greens are relatively small, firm, and subtly contoured, making iron play and distance control critical. Players who rank well in greens in regulation and strokes gained: approach historically perform well here. Wind often plays a decisive role, especially in the afternoons, and those who can flight the ball, control spin, and remain patient tend to separate themselves over four rounds.
In summary: Waialae Country Club rewards tidy, disciplined golf. This is a course that suits accurate drivers, strong iron players, and confident putters rather than aggressive bombers. Scoring can be good in calm conditions, but when the wind picks up, par becomes a valuable score and patience is essential.
Past Winners
2025 Nick Taylor (Canada) -16 Playoff
2024 Grayson Murray (United States) -17 Playoff
2023 Kim Si-woo (South Korea) -18 1 stroke
2022 Hideki Matsuyama (Japan) -23 Playoff
2021 Kevin Na (United States) -21 1 stroke
Betting (2026 Sony Open)– Click here to bet
Russell Henley 12.00
Hideki Matsuyama 19.00
Ben Griffin 19.00
J.J. Spaun 19.00
Collin Morikawa 21.00
SELECTIONS:
Russell Henley at 12.00
Assessing current form is difficult at this stage of the season, with many players returning from an off-season break. Tournament history therefore becomes an important guide, and Russell Henley’s record at the Sony Open stands out. He has finished inside the top 10 in three of his last four starts at Waialae, including a runner-up finish in 2022 and a fourth place in 2024. Clearly comfortable on this course, Henley looks well placed to start his season strongly.
Russell Henley each way at 12.00
Keegan Bradley at 26.00
Bradley is another player who consistently performs well in Hawaii. He finished sixth last year and was runner-up in 2024, underlining his comfort at Waialae. Coming off a strong season in which he reminded the field of his competitiveness and experience, Bradley looks well suited to a course that rewards accuracy, patience, and smart decision-making. A solid showing would be no surprise.
Keegan Bradley each way at 26.00
Nick Taylor at 46.00
Taylor returns as the defending champion after landing the Sony Open last year, a result we backed at triple-figure odds. That victory capped an excellent run at Waialae, where he has now finished inside the top 10 in each of his last four starts. He followed that win with a very strong season, ending 19th in the FedEx Cup standings. Given his consistent record at this venue, he looks overpriced again and is worth another each-way look.
Nick Taylor each way at 46.00
All prices correct at the time of writing but subject to change
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Golf Playoff
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
