2022 Sony Open: Top 10 power rankings at Waialae

Most weeks on the PGA Tour, opening in 69-68 will at least earn you a paycheck, if not get you into contention headed to the weekend. On a gettable par-70 track like Waialae, it can send you packing early.

That was Abraham Ancer’s misfortune as he missed the cut at the 2021 Sony Open by a shot. He also MC’d in his tournament debut in 2018 but bounced back for T-29th (68-66-68-69) in 2019 and T-38th (69-71-69-69) in 2020.

Ancer owns nine rounds in the 60s out of his last 10 at Waialae.

“It’s a golf course that I like a lot,” Ancer was transcribed by ASAP Sports in 2020. “Got to be really precise off the tee; can get really windy.” Last week at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, the former Oklahoma Sooner finished settled for T-35th at a course that’s more unsuitable to his game.

The way Ancer got his first invite to Kapalua was by virtue of his win last summer at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. After so many close calls, he finally broke through against a strong field in Memphis. The 30-year-old ranked top-30 on the PGA Tour in strokes gained off the tee, SG putting and SG tee to green. Ancer was fifth in driving accuracy (71.05%) and 20th in birdie average (4.2).

Looking at tighter, shorter layouts, Ancer in 2021 finished top-20 at the RBC Heritage and Colonial. He should be licking his chops this week at the opportunity for his second win. It would get him close to the top 10 in the world. He’s never climbed past No. 11.