2023 Sony Open in Hawaii: Top 10 Power Rankings at Waialae

Taylor Montgomery did about all you could do as a rookie in the fall except for win. It’s why he wasn’t at last week’s Sentry Tournament of Champions, but I expect him to find his way to Kapalua sooner rather than later.

The 27-year-old out of Las Vegas was on the wrong side of the Korn Ferry Tour/PGA Tour bubble multiple times coming up in the pro ranks. Part of why he didn’t make The 25 in the regular season was because his earnings for making the cut at the 2021 U.S. Open didn’t count toward his KFT status.

Now that he’s finally got his shot in the big leagues, Montgomery is taking advantage of it.

The UNLV alum debuted with a solo third in the season opener at the Fortinet Championship. Montgomery proceeded to rattle off four more top-15s in a row and has made all six cuts.

Prior to the Fortinet, he recorded four straight top-10s with three top-fives on the KFT.

The key will be replicating his success in the shadows of the fall season when the lights are bright and when the stars come out for Hawaii and the West Coast Swing.

Montgomery ranks 21st on the PGA Tour in total strokes gained per round (1.449) and 13th in SG putting (1.22).

That’s another thing that will be interesting to monitor. It’s tough for new guys on tour to learn new greens every week. His success could be sustainable, though, as he was third in putting average last season on the KFT. Montgomery also led the circuit in birdie average (4.88).

This will be his Sony Open in Hawaii debut.