Sony Open in Hawaii: What to know for 2nd TOUR event of 2023
The second TOUR event of 2023 and the first with a full field is upon us as the Sony Open in Hawaii gets underway this week in Honolulu.
The field, headlined by 20-year-old Tom Kim, will compete for 500 FedEx Cup points and a share of the $7.9-million purse. Joining Kim are six other golfers inside the top 25 on the world rankings, including the event's defending champion Hideki Matsuyama.
When: Jan. 12-15
Where: Honolulu, Hawaii
How to watch
| DATE | TIME (ET) | CHANNEL |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 7-10:30 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| Friday | 7-10:30 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| Saturday | 4-6 p.m. | NBC |
| 6-8 p.m. | Golf Channel | |
| Sunday | 4-6 p.m. | NBC |
| 6-8 p.m. | Golf Channel |
Last year's result
Matsuyama defeated Russell Henley on the first playoff hole in Honolulu last year after making an eagle on the par-5 18th. The victory marked the eighth TOUR win of his career.
Matsuyama entered the final round two shots back of Henley, who had held the 36- and 54-hole leads. Matsuyama matched the low round of the day with his second 63 of the tournament to join Henley atop the leaderboard at 23-under after 72 holes.
Kevin Kisner and Seamus Power finished four back in a tie for third, while Michael Thompson and Lucas Glover trailed by five in a tie for fifth.
Recent winners
2022: Hideki Matsuyama (-23) in a playoff over Russell Henley
2021: Kevin Na (-21) over Chris Kirk, Joaquin Niemann
2020: Cameron Smith (-11) in a playoff over Brendan Steele
2019: Matt Kuchar (-22) over Andrew Putnam
2018: Patton Kizzire (-17) in a playoff over James Hahn
2017: Justin Thomas (-27) over Justin Rose
2016: Fabian Gomez (-20) in a playoff over Brandt Snedeker
2015: Jimmy Walker (-23) over Scott Piercy
2014: Jimmy Walker (-17) over Chris Kirk
The field
Four of the world's top 20 made the trip to Honolulu this week - Kim, Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel, and Sungjae Im. Two-time TOUR winner Kim is coming off a top-five result in Maui last week at the Tournament of Champions and is the best-ranked player in the field. Tom Hoge and J.J. Spaun are also playing in the Sony Open after finishing last week tied for third and fifth, respectively.
Matsuyama is joined by fellow recent winners Matt Kuchar and Patton Kizzire. Two-time Sony Open winner Jimmy Walker is also competing in the event.
Featured groups (all times ET)
Group: Russell Henley, Tom Hoge, Matt Kuchar
Thursday - 12:50 p.m. (No. 10 tee)
Friday - 5:30 p.m.
Group: Zach Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Billy Horschel
Thursday - 1:00 p.m. (No. 10 tee)
Friday - 5:40 p.m.
Group: Tom Kim, Keegan Bradley, Mackenzie Hughes
Thursday - 5:30 p.m. (No.1 tee)
Friday - 12:50 p.m.
Group: Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, Sungjae Im
Thursday - 5:40 p.m. (No. 1 tee)
Friday - 1:00 p.m.
The course
Waialae Country Club is a 7,044-yard par 70. Seth Raynor is the original designer, but Tom Doak renovated the course.
Justin Thomas holds the 72-hole tournament record with a 27-under 253 that won him the event in 2017. He also owns the lowest 18-hole score, opening that same tourney with an impressive 59. Thomas recorded eight birdies, two eagles, and one bogey en route to achieving his milestone score.
Betting corner
Tom Kim +1000
Sungjae Im +1400
Jordan Spieth +1600
Brian Harman +1800
Hideki Matsuyama +1800
Russell Henley +2200
Corey Conners +2500
Tom Hoge +2500
Billy Horschel +3300
Cam Davis +3500
Keegan Bradley +3500
Keith Mitchell +3500
K.H. Lee +3500
Taylor Montgomery +3500
Odds via theScore Bet