Sony Open: Waialae Country Club Course Preview/Course Key Stats

Waialae Country Club — Course Overview

• Par: 70

• Yardage: 7,044 yards (one of the shortest courses on the PGA Tour)

• Course Type: Flat, tree-lined with strategic doglegs; precision off the tee and approach game is emphasized over raw distance.

• Designer: Seth Raynor (1927) with Tom Doak restoration (mid-2010s)

Scorecard & Layout

Par Breakdown:

• Four par 3s

• Twelve Par 4s

• Two Par 5s

Key Metrics

• Driving Accuracy

• Precision Iron play

• Bermuda Putting and short game

• Good in windy conditions

10 good Course Fits at Waialae (2026 Sony Open)

1. Russell Henley

✅ Elite accuracy✅ Elite iron control✅ Proven Bermuda success✅ Excellent wind splits

Best pure Waialae profile in the field.

2. Corey Conners

✅ Fairway finder✅ Top-tier approach play⚠️ Putting is average but not harmful✅ Strong wind player

Tee-to-green monster who thrives on short, positional courses.

3. Keegan Bradley

✅ Strong driving accuracy✅ Consistently strong irons✅ Improved short game✅ Excellent in wind✅ Elite course history

Checks every box and has proven contention upside here.

4. Aaron Rai

✅ One of the straightest drivers on Tour✅ Excellent wedge and mid-iron play⚠️ Average putter, but fine on Bermuda✅ Elite wind pedigree

Textbook Waialae ball-striker.

5. Brian Harman

✅ Extremely accurate✅ Strong iron precision✅ Excellent Bermuda putting✅ Elite coastal/wind player

Low-mistake profile that fits Waialae perfectly.

6. Eric Cole

✅ Accurate off the tee✅ Strong short-iron game✅ Very good Bermuda putter⚠️ Wind is solid, not elite

Short-course specialist with reliable scoring.

7. Seamus Power

✅ Controlled driver✅ Good iron consistency✅ Reliable short game✅ Comfortable in wind

Underrated all-around fit with few weaknesses.

8. Denny McCarthy

✅ Accurate driver✅ Elite Bermuda putting⚠️ Iron play is streaky⚠️ Wind dependent

Putting upside can carry him into contention.

9. Hideki Matsuyama

⚠️ Accuracy is good, not elite✅ Excellent iron precision⚠️ Putting volatile but fine on Bermuda✅ Strong wind performance✅ Former Sony Open winner

Still a strong fit despite putting variance.

10. Collin Morikawa

⚠️ Driving accuracy is course-dependent✅ Elite iron player⚠️ Weak short game historically⚠️ Wind is average

Iron play alone keeps him in the top 10.