Sony Open in Hawaii 2019: Course and current form guides for Waialae

Andy Swales
07 January 2019

Waialae: A different Hawaiian test to last week's event at Kapalua

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Check out the latest course and current form stats ahead of this week's PGA Tour event on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, courtesy of Andy Swales....

"Yet course form does not appear to hold any major significance in this event, probably due to the time of year it is staged. With many players still dusting off the cobwebs, following the festive period, it should come as little surprise that six of Waialae's last 10 champions had never previously posted a top-25 finish at the course."

From the wide open fairways of Kapalua, the PGA Tour travels to the shorter, tighter Waialae Country Club for this week's Sony Open.

As many as 23 of the 34 golfers who contested the Tournament of Champions remain in Hawaii, for what will be a completely different test of golf on the island of Oahu.

The fairways are narrower while the greens are smaller, placing a greater emphasis on accuracy.

And unlike the many undulating fairways of the Plantation course, those at Waialae are generally flat.

One feature that should remain consistent from last week will be the coastal breezes, which blow across these vulnerable Pacific islands.

Huge Advantage

However, those who played at Kapalua should still have a huge advantage over the rest of the field.

This is because approximately two-thirds of those taking part have not struck a competitive ball for more than seven weeks.

Justin Thomas, winner of the Sony Open in 2017, stood on the podium at the weekend and will most likely start as favourite at Waialae.

Aussie Marc Leishman, fourth at Kapalua on Sunday, stays in Hawaii along with defending champion Patton Kizzire who finished eighth at the Tournament of Champions.

It is not yet known whether Gary Woodland, who suffered a family bereavement last week, will tee-up at Waialae on Thursday.

If he does, he will face a course on which he has posted three top 10s in his last four visits.

Other players who have enjoyed a string of top-10 finishes here include Charles Howell, Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar and veteran Jerry Kelly.

Howell and Kuchar competed at Kapalua last week, while former Sony champions Johnson and Kelly did not.

Howell will particularly fancy his chances at Waialae following his victory in Georgia in November, which was his first PGA Tour success in more than 11 and a half years.

Recent Trend

Yet course form does not appear to hold any major significance in this event, probably due to the time of year it is staged.

With many players still dusting off the cobwebs, following the festive period, it should come as little surprise that six of Waialae's last 10 champions had never previously posted a top-25 finish at the course.

Current Form

Two players who finished 2018 strongly were Cameron Smith and Abraham Ancer, although neither qualified for Kapaula.

Smith won the Australian PGA Championship on home soil, while Mexico's Ancer won Australia's national open.

And world No 53 Shugo Imahira ended last year in good shape thanks to eight straight top-15 finishes in Japan, which included a victory at the Bridgestone Open.

In all, the Japanese pro posted seven podium finishes on his home tour during 2018.

Established PGA Tour Venue

Waialae has been around since 1927, making its Tour debut 53 years ago.

It underwent a revamp in the early 1990s and is one of the lowest-scoring venues on the calendar.

The course has more than 80 bunkers and, since the turn of the Millennium, the average winning 72-hole total is 262.5.

Only twice since 2000 has the winner fired a four-round score higher than 266.

Waialae has never been a venue where the shorter drivers on Tour have been at a distinct disadvantage.

Eleven of the most recent 13 winners have been American, with Waialae yet to crown a European champion.

The journey for those who played last week on the island of Maui will have been a comfortable 80 miles.

Twitter: Andy Swales@GolfStatsAlive

**MC* - Missed Additional 54-Hole Cut**

Note: List contains leading reserves

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Position

1–5
6–15
16–25

Player	W1	W50	W49	W48	W47	W46	W45	W44	W43	W42
Justin Thomas	3			12						36
Bryson DeChambeau	7			12				1
Patrick Reed	25			11	45	2			7
Jordan Spieth							MC	55
Bubba Watson	31			12
Marc Leishman	4			2						18
Paul Casey	16								16	18
Hideki Matsuyama				18		44	46		30	18
Cameron Smith				1		10			54	7
Keegan Bradley	27			15		17			6
Gary Woodland	2			8			41	10		2
Kyle Stanley									22	66
Matt Kuchar	19					23	1	57
Kevin Kisner						7	MC
Ian Poulter	18					51			21	10
Adam Scott									18	10
Kevin Na								MC	54	52
Satoshi Kodaira	32			1				41	37
Emiliano Grillo						8	15		14	55
Brandt Snedeker	22					34			30	36
Brian Harman						32	68		72	36
Shugo Imahira		12		8	13	8	12	4	4	1
Abraham Ancer						1	21	4		73
Charles Howell	14					1	MC			61
Si Woo Kim							26	15		23
Pat Perez							6		37	7
Chez Reavie							26		35	7
Zach Johnson						7	MC
Russell Knox						34		23	68
Adam Hadwin							10		30	10
Andrew Putnam	14					17			4	29
Dylan Frittelli		12	MC	5		7	21		54
Stewart Cink						MC				70
Jimmy Walker										29
Yuta Ikeda				22	4	MC	7	26	64	Wd
Russell Henley						MC	29	MC
Kevin Tway	11							23		52
Danny Lee							2	41
Cameron Champ	11					6	10	28	1
Sung Jae Im				15		37	MC	15	MC	41
Patton Kizzire	8					15	55		67	23
Andrew Landry	22					59	MC
Yuki Inamori				10	49	13	35	32	73	22
Cameron Davis				MC		40	48	28	MC
Jason Dufner						MC	21	MC		55
Ryan Armour						15	21		54	29
Ted Potter	27					46				14
Sam Burns						37	MC	MC	3
Brice Garnett	19					37	5	MC		41
Jason Kokrak								66		67
Whee Kim						MC	10	41		72
Brian Gay						23	41	51		61
Patrick Rodgers						2	MC	41	14
Anirban Lahiri		20				MC	10	MC
Sam Ryder						MC	54	3
Keith Mitchell						MC	65			14
James Hahn							29	28		55
Scott Piercy	19						6	10		5
Jamie Lovemark						65	41			23
Kramer Hickok						MC	29	23	MC
Chris Kirk						46	48	41	MC
Rikuya Hoshino				8	MC	4	17	4	15	58
Ollie Schniederjans						74	MC	57
Robert Streb						32	MC	4	26
Troy Merritt	16			34		23		57
Sean O`Hair						46	MC		MC
Bill Haas						MC	60		14
Sung Kang						MC	29	MC		29
Rory Sabbatini							55	MC	20
Joel Dahmen						37	41	69		29
Kelly Kraft						MC	38	66
Chase Wright						7	63	MC	MC
Steve Stricker
Sam Saunders						59	Wd		26
Grayson Murray							Wd	MC	Wd
Trey Mullinax						65		MC	MC
Tom Hoge						37	MC	MC	MC
Ryan Blaum						4	MC	74	20
Stephan Jaeger						MC	16	MC	14
Corey Conners						23	MC	MC	2
Brandon Harkins						MC	65	10	MC
Adam Schenk						23	48	MC	7
Matt Jones						MC	71	57	MC
Michael Kim	32					MC		MC		76
Aaron Baddeley						59			MC
Ben Silverman						46			39
Martin Trainer						MC	MC	MC	MC
Hudson Swafford						76	55	28	26
Sebastian Munoz						MC	64	41	50
Brian Stuard						MC	MC	MC	MC	52
Vaughn Taylor						MC	26	57	26
Peter Malnati						MC	MC	15	MC
Kyle Jones						23	MC	71	MC
Nick Taylor				9			MC	36	26
Michael Thompson						MC
Scott Langley						23	29	MC	63
Jose de Jesus Rodriguez						MC	55	41	63
John Huh						MC	MC	MC	MC
Harris English						46	68	36	39
Sangmoon Bae						59	MC	MC
Talor Gooch						MC			14
Scott Brown						32	68	MC
Shawn Stefani						MC	MC	MC	7
JT Poston						MC	21	MC	54
Kyoung-Hoon Lee						MC	29	MC	35	61
Julian Etulain						MC			MC
Seamus Power						MC	MC	MC	19
Nicholas Lindheim						Wd			26
Ben Martin
Wyndham Clark						65	MC	57	54
Martin Piller						32			54
Mackenzie Hughes						MC	MC	MC
Chris Thompson						MC			45
Tyler Duncan						74	38	MC	MC
Brady Schnell						MC			45
Carlos Ortiz						MC	MC	MC	3
Adam Long						MC			MC
Jonas Blixt						MC	60	MC	35
Josh Teater						MC	48	MC	MC
Dominic Bozzelli						11	48	41
Wes Roach						MC		41	45
Sepp Straka						MC			MC
Johnson Wagner						54			35
Joey Garber						MC			MC
Alex Prugh						MC	MC	57	39
Adam Svensson						MC	MC	MC	39
Seth Reeves						71	29	73	7
Takumi Kanaya						17	MC
Roger Sloan						70	MC	MC	MC
Nate Lashley						59			20
David Hearn						15			MC
Curtis Luck				MC		MC	MC	MC	50
John Chin						MC	MC	MC	45
Hank Lebioda						32			MC
Luke Donald
Fabian Gomez						37	MC		70
Jim Knous						MC			MC
JJ Henry						MC			50
Jim Herman						MC	MC		MC
Steve Marino							29	MC
Roberto Diaz							MC	57	MC
Kenny Perry								MC
Yong-Eun Yang				14	4	48	40	9	34	26
Vijay Singh
Max Homa						MC	MC	MC	MC
Davis Love						65		57
Jerry Kelly
Colt Knost
Eric Dugas

Player	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009
Justin Thomas	14	1	MC	6
Bryson DeChambeau		49
Patrick Reed						MC
Jordan Spieth	18	3			MC
Bubba Watson									46	MC
Marc Leishman	47	20	28	37	5	9		27	20	12
Paul Casey		MC		30
Hideki Matsuyama		27		MC*		MC	MC	MC
Cameron Smith	18	27	MC*
Keegan Bradley	39	MC	MC			49	13	MC
Gary Woodland	7	6	13	3				MC		MC
Kyle Stanley	10	36	13			67	23	MC
Matt Kuchar			13	3	8	5		5	MC	MC
Kevin Kisner	25	4	5	MC*	MC		MC	MC
Ian Poulter
Adam Scott			56		8			MC		2
Kevin Na	MC	36	28	64	8	MC	MC	20	52	5
Satoshi Kodaira	MC	49	MC*
Emiliano Grillo	47		33
Brandt Snedeker		MC	2
Brian Harman	4	20	13	13	32	MC	59
Shugo Imahira	54
Abraham Ancer	MC
Charles Howell	32	8	13	26	8	3	2	MC	5	4
Si Woo Kim	58		4
Pat Perez		69	MC*	17	8	9	46	MC	46	MC
Chez Reavie	18	8	42	26		MC			MC	23
Zach Johnson	14	6	9	64	8	MC	54	MC	12	1
Russell Knox	10	11	MC	13	MC	MC	MC
Adam Hadwin			67	MC
Andrew Putnam	69			MC
Dylan Frittelli
Stewart Cink	32	36	42	37	20	MC	29		52	32
Jimmy Walker	MC	MC	13	1	1	26	MC	4	MC	32
Yuta Ikeda				MC	MC	MC
Russell Henley	MC	13	MC	17	51	1
Kevin Tway	69	MC			MC
Danny Lee	MC		33	MC	MC	13	MC
Cameron Champ
Sung Jae Im
Patton Kizzire	1		MC
Andrew Landry	MC
Yuki Inamori
Cameron Davis
Jason Dufner	18	MC	9		29		MC	56	20	MC
Ryan Armour	39
Ted Potter	MC				MC	MC	13
Sam Burns
Brice Garnett	MC			MC	38
Jason Kokrak	47			17	20	72	MC*
Whee Kim	MC	MC*	MC*
Brian Gay	58	13	MC		32	31	6	13	25	5
Patrick Rodgers	Wd	MC
Anirban Lahiri		MC
Sam Ryder	58
Keith Mitchell	25
James Hahn	2	36	28	26	46	67
Scott Piercy	25	57	13	2	MC	15	23		MC	12
Jamie Lovemark	MC	4	7		MC			MC
Kramer Hickok
Chris Kirk	10	MC	MC	26	2	5	38	30
Rikuya Hoshino
Ollie Schniederjans	7	27
Robert Streb	MC	49		17	68	73
Troy Merritt	MC	MC	MC	30	MC			MC	20
Sean O`Hair	MC	11	42	MC	MC		2		MC*	12
Bill Haas	MC	13							MC	9
Sung Kang		MC	MC				MC	MC
Rory Sabbatini	32	45	MC	6	MC	59	29	13	39	12
Joel Dahmen	73
Kelly Kraft	MC	27
Chase Wright
Steve Stricker			64				38	9	3	23
Sam Saunders	25		MC	MC
Grayson Murray
Trey Mullinax		57		MC
Tom Hoge	3		MC	MC*
Ryan Blaum	10	MC*
Stephan Jaeger	54
Corey Conners	39
Brandon Harkins	25
Adam Schenk	39
Matt Jones	39			70		15		MC	MC
Michael Kim	MC	20	MC
Aaron Baddeley	MC							34
Ben Silverman	MC
Martin Trainer					MC
Hudson Swafford	54	13	9	MC	8
Sebastian Munoz
Brian Stuard	4	45		MC	6	5			25
Vaughn Taylor	76	57								MC
Peter Malnati	MC	27	MC*		38
Kyle Jones
Nick Taylor		MC	74	68
Michael Thompson	MC	20	56		MC	MC	6	MC
Scott Langley				30	MC	3
Jose de Jesus Rodriguez
John Huh	MC	27	33	MC*	MC*	31	53
Harris English	64	MC	56	3	4	9	67
Sangmoon Bae	MC			51	32	58	29			MC
Talor Gooch	18
Scott Brown	65	64		MC	68		MC
Shawn Stefani		36	50	6		59
JT Poston		64
Kyoung-Hoon Lee
Julian Etulain
Seamus Power	54	49
Nicholas Lindheim	32	MC
Ben Martin	7	36	50	51	38			MC
Wyndham Clark
Martin Piller	MC							MC
Mackenzie Hughes	MC	27
Chris Thompson
Tyler Duncan	MC
Brady Schnell
Carlos Ortiz			MC	MC
Adam Long
Jonas Blixt	MC	MC	MC			MC	54
Josh Teater					MC	15	38	MC	MC
Dominic Bozzelli	39
Wes Roach					MC
Sepp Straka
Johnson Wagner		MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	1	MC	MC	MC
Joey Garber
Alex Prugh				MC	MC			20	MC*
Adam Svensson
Seth Reeves
Takumi Kanaya
Roger Sloan				67
Nate Lashley	39
David Hearn		MC	MC*	51	38	31	10	MC
Curtis Luck
John Chin		MC
Hank Lebioda
Luke Donald	MC		28	51					MC	23
Fabian Gomez	MC	72	1	MC*		67		MC
Jim Knous
JJ Henry	MC	MC	70	30		MC
Jim Herman	MC	10	MC*	MC*	MC	MC		MC
Steve Marino		MC				59	MC	2		7
Roberto Diaz	47
Kenny Perry				37	MC					59
Yong-Eun Yang		27			51	20			46
Vijay Singh	MC	57	50	MC	MC	20	46	MC	52
Max Homa				6
Davis Love			MC*	MC		MC	MC	9	5	MC
Jerry Kelly	14	MC	9	6	3	MC	29	9	Wd	23
Colt Knost	69	MC	MC*	17		MC	23	34		MC
Eric Dugas	MC				MC*		MC