Jimmy Walker won the Sony Open in 2013 and 2014 and is looking for a three-peat starting Thursday at Waialae.
The really, really strange fact about the five-time PGA Tour winner is that he has never won an event in April, May, June, July, August or September. Strange but true.
Walker comes into this week after finishing in a tie for 10th last week at the Tournament of Champions and he’s one of the few players in the field with multiple wins on his resume.
Zach Johnson is the most decorated guy this week with a pair of majors and a dozen wins and he’s sporting new equipment from Parsons Xtreme Golf.
Adam Scott is right behind him with 11 victories and the 2013 Masters title but did not win last season.
The man with the most momentum is Brandt Snedeker. Sneds put on a ball-striking display at the Plantation Course, spurred by his new partnership with Butch Harmon and the results netted him a tie for third.
Here’s a quick look at some other players who should contend this week:
Kevin Kisner: After a breakthrough win last season, he’s the FedEx Cup points leader. Kisner has climbed to 16th in the world rankings.
Matt Kuchar: Kuchar, like Snedeker, has seven victories but may not be in mid-season form. Kooch failed to win last season and that didn’t sit well with him.
Kevin Na: He’s ranked 23rd in the world and is probably the most under-appreciated player on the PGA Tour, perhaps due to the fact that he’s never won. Will this be his year?
Scott Piercy: Finished runnerup to Walker last year but was nine shots behind.
Whoever does emerge this week will have to go low.
Last year Walker was totally ridiculous on the weekend. He shot 62-63, got to 24-under par.
