The Sony Open is the first full-field tournament of the season and the second leg of the Hawaii Swing. Waialae Country Club in Honolulu is the host course4. It’s a par 70 track over 7,044 yards. The weather is perfect for scoring so we can expect plenty of birdies. Over the last three years, the winning score has been 22, 11, and 21 under (2019-2021).
However, the rough has been lengthened which could possibly reduce the scoring potential. That means finding the fairways off the tee will be important. All but one winner since 2013 had played the course in at least one previous Sony Open. Since 2015, only one winner had not played the previous week in the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
Here are some key skills for potential winners this week.
Driving Accuracy
Birdie Conversion
Strokes Gained Tee to Green
2022 Sony Open in Hawaii picks
Outright Winner
Cameron Smith (+900)
It’s rare for a player to win both the season-opening Hawaii tournaments but we can’t ignore Cameron Smith this week. His prospects last week were highlighted as our Top 10 Pick. He has moved up a level and takes center stage as our outright winner pick. Smith’s profile is too compelling not to recommend him as the main bet.
Even before winning the Tournament of Champions with a winning score of 34 under, Smith would have received respect for the Sony Open, based on his course form and skills profile. He won the tournament two years ago and has made six cuts in six visits to Waialae. Smith currently leads the PGA Tour in strokes gained from tee to green and scores well for birdie conversion.
Best Value Top 10 Pick
Russell Henley (+1800)
Henley is the last debutant to win the Sony Open with his first Tour win in 2013. He has played every event since that win and added three top 20 finishes to his tournament record. Our Top 10 Pick has also made his last eight cuts so is in decent form.
He often figures near the top of the standings for strokes gained tee to green and has a solid record for birdie conversion. Henley is currently 17th in the standings for driving accuracy so is a player with the profile to contend this week.
Potential Sleeper Pick
Charles Howell (+3300)
Howell is our Sleeper Pick more because of his course form than skills profile. He’s not a prolific tournament winner but makes an excellent living from consistent finishes. Howell has won more money in the Sony Open than any other player.
If making the cut is an indication of a player suited to a venue then look no further than Howell. He’s played on the course in the tournament 20 times and never failed to make the cut. Ten top 10’s are another big clue to his credentials at Waialae.
For the full list of odds for the outright winner of the Sony Open in Hawaii, you should visit here
