As the second PGA Tour event of 2024 unfolds in picturesque Hawaii, all eyes are on the prestigious Sony Open at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. Hosting a full field of 144 players, this tournament boasts the inclusion of 37 golfers from the previous week’s Sentry Tournament of Champions in Maui, setting the stage for an exhilarating competition.

The spotlight shines on last week’s underdog triumph, Chris Kirk, who stunned with an outright win at remarkable 200/1 odds. Notably, four other top-5 finishers from the Tournament of Champions, Sahith Theegala, Byeong Hun An, Brian Harman, and J.T. Poston, are ready to showcase their skills at the Sony Open.

Brian Harman, the reigning 2023 British Open champion, joins Kirk and five others as frontrunners with odds of +2500 or less (25/1) on FanDuel Sportsbook. The tournament introduces 16 promising PGA Tour rookies eager to make their mark, although history suggests that recent Sony Open winners often played the preceding week in Hawaii.

A closer look at Waialae Country Club reveals a course designed for strategic play. With wide fairways and forgiving roughs, the emphasis may not be on the driver this week. The bermudagrass greens, spanning 7,000 square feet, pose a challenge, accompanied by 83 sand bunkers and water hazards on five holes.

In contrast to the previous week’s lengthy course, the Waialae course stands as the fifth-shortest on the tour at 7,044 yards (par 70). Past champions like Si Woo Kim, Hideki Matsuyama, Kevin Na, Cameron Smith, and Matt Kuchar underscore the significance of precision over power, favoring shorter hitters with a knack for putting.

Speaking of putting prowess, 12 of the last 14 Sony Open winners excelled in strokes gained putting, emphasizing the importance of finesse on the greens. Key contenders in this regard include Andrew Putman, Russell Henley, Harry Hall, Brendon Todd, and other skilled putters.

Adding intrigue to the mix, under-the-radar longshots Harry Hall and Zac Blair emerge as potential dark horses, promising an exciting competition beyond the favorites. Noteworthy is the presence of three top contenders, Tyrrell Hatton, Ludvig Aberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick, who are making their debut at Waialae CC, adding an element of unpredictability to the tournament.

The Sony Open 2024 beckons golf enthusiasts to witness a thrilling clash of skill and strategy, where tradition meets the excitement of new talent, all against the breathtaking backdrop of Waialae Country Club.