The Sony Open is one of the longest-running events on the PGA Tour — this is its 55th year — and stately Waialae Country Club has stood the test of time.
Waialae is one of the last of the “old school” courses on the PGA Tour. It was created in 1927 by world-famous architect Seth Raynor and at less than 7,200-yards in length (7,125), it’s one of the shorter courses on Tour.
When play gets underway on Thursday, defending champion Kevin Na heads a field that also includes Tournament of Champions winner Cam Smith, the newest member of the top 10 in the Official World Golf Rankings.
It’s a short plane ride from Maui to O’ahu and the famous course in Honolulu. Waialae is a polar opposite of last week’s venue — the Plantation course at Kapalua. Waialae is relatively flat with few elevations and the greens are not as undulating. Last year Na put himself in position to win with a nine-under par 61 on Saturday then closed with 65 and shot 21-under par to beat Chris Kirk and Joaquin Niemann by a shot.
Honolulu has had heavy rainfall the past three weeks and the grounds crew at Waialae hasn’t been able to cut the rough until this week. Because of the wet conditions, the rough will be at four inches rather than the usual length of three inches. So accuracy off the tee may be at more of a premium.
Smith, who set the PGA Tour 72-hole scoring record last week, won the 2020 Sony, his first individual win on the PGA Tour. He attributed his success at Kapalua and at Waialae to greens that are similar to those he grew up playing in Brisbane (Australia).
Some of the other winners from 2021 who made the trip over from Kapalua include Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, Taylor Gooch, Kevin Kisner, Billy Horschel and Abraham Ancer.
One big name who entered but withdrew on Monday was Bryson DeChambeau. DeChambeau cited a sore wrist but no doubt it will be well enough for him to accept a fat appearance at the Saudi Invitational next month.
This is the first full-field event of 2022.
4 Comments
baxter cepeda
It would have been fun to see Bryson golf at Waialae; hopefully next year.
The course is old school Seth reynor but it has Changed quite a bit. It is well known thanks to Rolfing that More holes used to run along the beach.
But also while the track is considered flat now, I was told by a longtime home owner off one of Waialaes fairways that it literally used to be flat as a pancake until one day decades ago truckloads of dirt were brought in to create all the humps and bumps we see today.
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As for a pick, the Aussie contingent seems like a good place to start. Cam Smith is the overall favorite at 11-1. But What’s the fun in that? And it’s not easy winning back to back events.
So If not cam then Leishman, who gives bets double the value at 22-1. And in many ways is the class of the field.
As for other bets with more potential returns:
Defending champ Na is at 30-1 but similar to back to back events, repeating ain’t easy, even for my Boy Kevin. I’d rather take English, Ancer, or Gooch at 35-1.
Matt Jones, kokrak, and billy horshell all look even better at 40-1.
Cam Davis at 50-1 looked good early last week. This field is bigger than the TOC but a lot less intimidating.
Steele and Todd look pretty pretty good at 60 to 1. Also looking good in the 6os are Palmer, harman, Mitchell, van roo, and Kuch. All can win.
Keegan at 70-1 can too, maybe.
As can players at 80-1 like Rai, hoge, cink, reavie and grillo.
Zack at 100-1. Why not ?
There’s an Impressive list of names at 150-1 odds including sneds, Rory sabbatini, Pat Perez, Thompson, and quite a few more. These guys can win against this field.
I mean really with this field as thin on top talent as it is, it’s even feasible a few of the names at 200-1 (which is the longest odds) could pull out a win this week, such as Theegala, a guy who was battling for a W not too long ago.
I must say betting golf looks a lot more intriguing IMO sans a bunch of top names, which frankly make a long shot less likely. The Sony seems like a great week to skip betting on the favorites and instead go for a long shot.
Tom Edrington
Baxter: I’m going to give DraftKings your contact info, I’m sure they’d love to have more input from someone who loves and follows the game as you do!!
baxter cepeda
Thanks. U can be my agent and I’ll pay you about what kuchar would, the customary 0.05 percent. Lol
Tom Edrington
Done deal….lol….just call me El Tucan!