2020 Sony Open in Hawaii Preview

January 09 2020 – THE GOLF SOCIETY

The PGA Tour’s first full-field event of 2020 is underway this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Last year, Matt Kuchar earned his 2nd win of the 2018-2019 season with a four-stroke victory over Andrew Putnam, and he’s back to defend his title against some of the games established and rising stars. Past Sony Open champions in the field include two-time winner Jimmy Walker, and 2018 champion Patton Kizzire. Other notables in the field include last week’s winner Justin Thomas (who also won here in2017), and Matthew NeSmith, who earned the top spot during the 2019 Korn Ferry Tour finals.

LOCATION

Waialae Country Club - has been the exclusive host of the Sony Open.A converted par-70 for the event, Waialae CC features a relatively flat layout, with a premium placed on finding the fairway. Low scores are always possible here, as evidenced by Justin Thomas’s 59 in 2017.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Justin Thomas: He’s won 12 times since 2015, and is coming off a hard-earned play off win last week on Maui. Add in his recent success at the Sony Open, and it’s easy to see why JT is the clear favorite this week.

Corey Conners: Celebrating his 28th birthday this week, he has plenty of reasons to celebrate on the Big Island. He finished top-20 last week, and his tie for third in last year’s Sony Open illustrates his ability to play well in Hawaii. Don’t be surprised to see him in contention come Sunday.