Sony Open in Hawaii: Power ranking the top ten at Waialae

HONOLULU, HI - JANUARY 15: Justin Thomas of the United States, Zach Johnson of the United States and Justin Rose of England walk to the 17th green during the final round of the Sony Open In Hawaii at Waialae Country Club on January 15, 2017 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

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HONOLULU, HI – JANUARY 18: Jimmy Walker celebrates with the winner’s trophy after the final round of the Sony Open In Hawaii at Waialae Country Club on January 18, 2015 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

It’s hard to leave a recent two-time tournament winner like Jimmy Walker off the list.

The fall and winter portions of the schedule have belonged to Walker in previous years as evidenced by the big Texan going back-to-back at the Sony Open in 2014-15.

It’s been well documented that Walker’s battle with Lyme disease has made golf difficult, but here’s to hoping 2018 will bring him a better bill of health.

Walker, 38, has been away from competition since early November at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, where he missed the cut.

Despite an inconsistent schedule and depleted energy, Walker still made eight top-25s in the 2017 calendar year to show he’s not ready to go away.

He’s committed to play in next week’s CareerBuilder Challenge, also.

Walker one by one at the Sony in 2014 and set the tournament record for margin of victory with a nine-stroke romp at 23-under in 2015. For his career, Walker is 7-for-11 in cuts made at Waialae and also owns a solo fourth in 2011 and missed the cut last in 2017.

The ball striking may be the last part of his game to fully round into shape, but at a shorter course with puttable greens, Walker can stick around this week by leaning on his flat stick.

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