The PGA Tour returns to Hawaii for the first event of the new season, the 2026 Sony Open. While typically the second event of the new season, this year's tourney will raise the curtain on the '26 campaign after The Sentry was cancelled.
The longtime home of the Sony Open, Waialae Country Club, a par-70, 7,044-yard Seth Raynor design, welcomes a strong 120-man field to Hawaii this week for the season-opening event. Including 2013 winner Russell Henley, this year's Sony Open will feature 11 of the top 30 players in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Defending champion Nick Taylor is back in the field this week and is looking to become the first repeat winner of this event since Jimmy Walker took titles in 2014 and 2015.
2025 U.S. Open winner, J.J. Spaun, Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, Robert MacIntyre, Ben Griffin, Collin Morikawa, and Hideki Matsuyama will also tee it up this week. Jordan Spieth is also set to make his first start on the PGA Tour since the FedEx St. Jude Championship last August.
The first of four full-field events over the next four weeks, the Sony Open marks the first opportunity for players to earn their way into the first Signature Event of the year, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February, through the Aon Swing 5. Let's dive into some picks and predictions and take a look at a few players who could be poised to get off to a fast start in 2026.
2026 Sony Open picks and predictions
Sleeper pick for the Sony Open: Austin Eckroat (+13000)
Austin Eckroat ranked among the best on the PGA Tour in total driving (30th) last season, something which could set him up for success at a venue like Waialae. A two-time winner on the PGA Tour, Eckroat had five top-25 finishes last year and made the cut in each of his four starts during the fall. He finished 12th at the Sony Open in 2023.
Sleeper pick for the Sony Open: Seamus Power (+9000)
Seamus Power has had mixed results at the Sony Open throughout his career but finished tied for third at Waialae in 2022. The Irishman had a strong fall with three top-27 finishes in his last three starts, including a T7 at the RSM Classic in November. A two-time PGA Tour winner, Power has had success at comparable venues throughout his career and could contend at the Sony Open.
Pick to win the Sony Open: Nico Echavarria (+4500)
Nico Echavarria has finished 12th or better in two of his last three starts at the Sony Open, including his runner-up finish to Nick Taylor last year at Waialae. Winner of the 2024 Zozo Championship, Nico has had a strong fall, with top-14 finishes in three of his last four starts, including a tie for fourth last time out at the RSM Classic.
Pick to win the Sony Open: Si Woo Kim (+2000)
Fourth in the field in total strokes gained from tee to green over the last fifty rounds, per Data Golf, Si Woo Kim is in impressive form dating back to the FedEx St. Jude Championship last August.
Kim comes into the Sony Open having finished 21st or better in each of his last seven starts around the world. The winner at Waialae in 2023, Kim can become just the sixth in tournament history to have won multiple times with a win this week, something that is well within his reach given his current form.
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