The Sony Open from Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii teed off with a full field of eager golf professionals On Thursday. It offers a $5.6 million purse with $990,000 going to the winner.
Johnson Wagner picked up his third-career PGA Tour victory at the 2012 Sony Open. He fired rounds of 68-66-66-68 and won by two shots.
The Waialae Country Club golf course with only two par-5 holes is a par-70 and stretches over 7,000 yards. Severe dog-legs and narrow fairways place a premium on accuracy off the tee.
The last seven winners of the Sony Open have been known more for their ball striking ability rather than their length.
Year Winner
2012 Johnson Wagner
2011 Mark Wilson
2010 Ryan Palmer
2009 Zach Johnson
2008 K.J. Choi
2007 Paul Goydos
2006 David Toms
Long hitting-Dustin Johnson won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions on Tuesday at Kapalua but he will need to keep the driver in the bag and play for position on Waialae.
Other familiar names in the field include; Keegan Bradley, Webb Simpson, Matt Kuchar, Vijay Singh and Davis Love.
The Sony Open becomes a very important event for veteran and rookie pros alike. With the shortened 2013 PGA Tour schedule prize money earned early in the year will help hold onto a tour spot for 2014.
While most of the continental United States is covered in snow and cold beautiful visions of warm ocean breezes making majestic palm trees sway will fill up television screens for golf fans this weekend.
The Golf Channel will provide prime-time coverage for the final three rounds from the Sony Open. Air times will be Friday and Saturday 7:00-10:30 PM ET. The final round on Sunday will be shown 7:00-10:00 PM ET.
Fix yourself a cool beverage, stick a little umbrella in it and pretend you are in the land of sandy beaches and hula dancers.
Current Leaderboard | Player | Total | To Par |
| Scott Langley | 62 | -8 |
| Russell Henley | 63 | -7 |
| Scott Piercy | 64 | -6 |
| Tim Clark | 64 | -6 |
| Jeff Overton | 65 | -5 |
| Stephen Ames | 65 | -5 |
| 10 Tied at -4 | | |