US EditionDefending Champion Nick Taylor Tied for Sony Open Lead
Nick Taylor aims to become the first repeat Sony Open winner since 2015 amid doubts over PGA Tour Hawaii events and Sony’s sponsorship ending this year.
- On Jan. 14, 2026, Nick Taylor begins defence of his 2025 Sony Open title with today's first round at Waialae Country Club, the PGA Tour season-opener running Today–Sunday with a $9.1 million purse.
- The PGA Tour is weighing schedule changes that could remove Hawaii's early events, and this year is the final year of Sony's title-sponsor contract for the tournament.
- Taylor's recent record and playoff history point to his readiness as the defending champion with five PGA Tour titles and three playoff victories, playing early rounds with Aaron Rai, England, and Robert MacIntyre, Scotland at Waiʻalae.
- A repeat would be historically notable, but the Tour's plans cast doubt on future Hawaii starts; if Nick Taylor wins the 120-player field Sunday, he would be first repeat since Jimmy Walker in 2015, though Taylor said `I don't know about annually after that`.
- Several rookies and first-time full members join marquee names this week, including Canadians Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Svensson, A.J. Ewart and Sudarshan Yellamaraju, plus stars Collin Morikawa, J.J. Spaun and Adam Scott.
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Defending champ Nick Taylor tied for lead at Sony Open
Defending champion Nick Taylor carded eight birdies without a bogey to share the first-round lead with Kevin Roy on Thursday in the US PGA Tour's season-opening Sony Open in Hawaii.
Jackson Progress-Argus
Defending champ Nick Taylor tied for Sony Open lead
Nick Taylor began his title defense at the Sony Open in Hawaii with a stellar 8-under-par 62, and the Canadian finds himself tied for the first-round lead at the PGA Tour's season-opening tournament Thursday in Honolulu.
readingeagle
Boston HeraldHONOLULU (AP) — Defending champion Nick Taylor was precise with his irons and handled the par-3 holes well at Waialae Country Club on Thursday, carding an 8-under 62 to share the lead at the Sony Open with Kevin Roy as the PGA Tour season kicked off. The season hadn't started this late in the season. The Sentry at Kapalua, Maui, was canceled due to water problems. The Sony drew a strong field of golfers, including four of the world's top 10. Tay…
Idaho State Journal
Defending champion Nick Taylor tied for Sony Open lead
HONOLULU (AP) — Defending champion Nick Taylor was sharp with his irons and handled the par 3s at Waialae Country Club for an 8-under 62, giving him an early share of the lead Thursday with Kevin Roy as the PGA…
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Morganton News HeraldSpieth and the Sony
Waialae Country Club would seem to be the perfect fit for Jordan Spieth with its Bermuda grass, small, smooth greens and wind. The last time he was at the Sony Open in 2023, he shared the 18-hole lead and then…
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