Since the PGA TOUR first connected events in Hawaii in 1999, three golfers have won both the SBS Tournament of Champions and Sony Open in Hawaii, but only Ernie Els has won both in the same season. That was in 2003. It was the first of consecutive playoff victories for The Big Easy at Waialae Country Club. Twelve of the winners at Kapalua Resort’s Plantation Course went on to compete at the Sony the following week. In addition to Els’ first title at Waialae, two others recorded top 10s and another a top 15 after claiming their victories at the SBS. All of the others finished outside the top 30 on the shorter, flatter test in Honolulu. However, 12 of the 18 champions at Waialae competed in the winners-only stop on Maui the week prior. While the host courses on the Aloha Swing essentially are on opposite sides of the spectrum in design, the warm-up of a no-cut soft opening of the calendar year has been lucrative to those extending their stay in the Hawaiian Islands. This is on what 21 of the 32 who pegged it at Kapalua last week are counting as they take aim on Oahu, eight of whom are featured below. Back after missing the cut in his debut in 2014. Thinks his game fits Waialae, but he could say that about a lot of places. Closing bogey-free 65 at Kapalua (T3) was field low. The SBS champ has two wins and a T4 in last four starts worldwide. Placed T6 in debut at Waialae two years ago; second-round 61 is a career low on the PGA TOUR. Two-time winner at Waialae, including by nine in 2015. Added a T13 last year. Averaged 66.125 in last 16 rounds here. First-round leader at Kapalua finished T9 on Maui. Extended historic stretch in the last three months with four wins and two seconds. Broken par just twice in nine rounds at Waialae but overall putting is as good as ever. Rested since a T12 at WGC-HSBC Champions. That trailed four straight top-four finishes and a T21 in Malaysia. His 62 at Waialae to open the 2015 edition remains a career low. On top of the world and it shows. Balanced attack en route to a T3 at Kapalua, his first start since Mayakoba win. Eight top 20s among 13 cuts made at Waialae; three since 2013. Portrait of a horse at Waialae. Since debut in 2002, he hasn’t missed an appearance or a cut. Twice a runner-up and 10 top 15s overall. Three top 15s to finish last fall. Strong fall has him ninth in the FedExCup standings. Gets to pile on both that and his record at Waialae where he’s 5-for-8 with a solo second and another trio of top 15s. Returns to avenge playoff loss last year post-T3 at Kapalua; led field at Waialae in scrambling. Placed T14 last week on Maui despite a poor putting, but fifth in scrambling. Concluded the fall with a runner-up at Mayakoba. Just as great a fit at Waialae with a respective T3 and T13 since 2015, averaging 66.429 in his last seven rounds. First action since a T4 at the BMW Championship; top 25s in all three Playoffs starts. Winner here in 2010 didn’t find consistency until 2014 since then he’s gone T8-T17-T13. Beaming since winning the Australian PGA a month ago. Tied for 13th in debut at Waialae last year, leading the field in converting GIR into par breakers (22-for-44). Personal-best T13 here last year (in fifth appearance), but now arrives on the confidence of a T9 in his debut at Kapalua. Fourth on TOUR in both fairways hit and GIR. Inconsistency at the SBS (T17) shrouded accuracy on approach and solid putting. That will play well again at Waialae where he’s just 1-for-5 but with a T13 in 2015. Capitalized quickly on new lease with a TOUR card. Went 4-for-4 in the fall with a pair of top 15s. He’s added a T2 and T15 in his native Australia since. POWER RANKINGS: SONY OPEN IN HAWAII RANK PLAYER COMMENT Waialae’s beauty has remained intact for as long as anyone can remember, but there are new sightlines to behold. The greens at the par-4 first and 13th holes, as well as at the par-3 11th, have undergone needed renovations since Fabian Gomez lifted the trophy after outlasting Brandt Snedeker in a playoff a year ago. There will be a learning curve at No. 11, especially, since the entire green complex was redone. All 18 greens will be prepped to measure 11 on the Stimpmeter. As a gettable par 70 tipping at just 7,044 yards, wind is the only bona fide defense given its position along the Pacific Ocean. In terrific scoring conditions last year, the field averaged a tournament-low 68.499 since Waialae was converted from a par 72 entering the 1999 edition. The par-5 ninth and 18th holes have rolled over as the easiest set of par 5s on TOUR in each of the last two seasons. While splitting fairways often has been a narrative to predict success here, it takes a back seat to setting up scoring opportunities, just as you’d expect in a shootout. This is supported by rough measuring just two-and-a-quarter inches. Reviewing last year’s result, eight of the 12 golfers who finished inside the top 10 on the final leaderboard ranked outside the top 25 in driving accuracy, but six cracked the top 10 in greens in regulation. Gomez found only half of his fairways (ranking T60) and still averaged 14 GIR per round (T7). While wind direction will vary for the first three rounds this week, its velocity will not be a factor, so scoring by draw shouldn’t be affected. Come Sunday, trade winds will freshen, thus adding to the challenge in identifying the champion. Rain can almost never be ruled out, of course, but its threat to delay play is virtually zero. Seasonable highs in the low 80s are forecast. ROB BOLTON’S WRITING SCHEDULE PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Columnist Rob Bolton will be filing his usual staples leading up to this week’s event. Look for the following columns this week. MONDAY: Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Comfort Zone, Fantasy Insider WEDNESDAY: One & Done THURSDAY: Ownership Percentages in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf and One & Done presented by SERVPRO * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks, which also publishes on Tuesdays.
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