This week, the PGA Tour will host its second game of the year in Hawaii, the Hawaii Open. 144 full-squad players participated, and 21 champions of last week's tournament moved on to this week.
Although it is only the second game of the new year, the status of the PGA Tour's masters is indeed very high. What makes Chinese fans even happier is that Li Haotong will also participate in this week's competition. As the tournament's title sponsor, Sony issues wild cards to some Asian players every year, and this year he played with wild cards again.
The total prize money for this tournament is $7.5 million, and the winner will receive $1.35 million alone, plus 500 FedEx Cup points.
(Sony Open Preview)
Veteran's battle to defend his title
(Defending champion Luo Xiangyu)
The 21 players in last week's Sentinel Championship have more chances of winning the title, as seven of the tournament's eight most recent champions have restarted their season at the Championship. Whether it is psychological or environmental, they have certain advantages. Defending champion Luo Xiangyu is one of 21 players who won T13 last week and vowed to defend his title this week.
(Defending champion swing - Luo Xiangyu)
The top five favorites for Luo Xiangyu to face are:
5. Ren Chengzai
('Labor model' Ren Chengzai's strength should not be underestimated)
Last week in Kapalua, Ren Chengzai played well, ranking 8th in T. It was his fourth consecutive time in the top 20 this season. He has advanced to all three previous competitions at Vaile, two of which have been in the top 25 with an average of 67.83.
4. Cameron Smith
(Cameron feels good)
He has won both races in Hawaii and this week he will be fighting for two consecutive wins in the same season. The 2020 Sony Open champion qualified for all six of Waile's races. His serve-to-green scores currently lead the PGA Tour.
3. Webb Simpson
(Representative of the stability player)
All of the last 11 entries have advanced, with the last seven being below the top 20. Since 2018, his results have been T4, third and T4 respectively. He reached the top 15 in both of the last two races of 2021.
2. Mark Leishman
(Hawaii is a blessed land for Leishman.)
With 12 appearances and 12 promotions, four of which were in the top 10, he has never won the title, but his resume at Willet is quite beautiful. He scored a T10 in the Sentinel Championship last week. The victory of his friend Cameron may inspire him to become another Australian champion.
1. Corey Connors
(Low-key strength player Connors)
In terms of power, he can compete anywhere, but what really makes him Vaile's number one favorite to win the title is his precision from the tee to the green. He has qualified for all of his last three competitions, including T3 in 2019 and T12 in 2020.
Li Haotong started the first race of the New Year!
Li Haotong participated in two PGA Tour games last year and failed to qualify.
In the first half of the year, he also had a low point on the European Tour, missing out on more than 10 matches, but since September his form began to pick up, winning two silver medals at the National Games, both individual and team.
(Looking forward to Haotong's performance on the PGA Tour stage)
He then returned to the European Tour, finishing T14 at the Dunhill Links Championship and also earning his first World Ranking points of 2021. Even at the Volvo China Open, which ended in December, Li Haotong finished second with a one-stroke difference, his best ranking in the professional arena in two years.
Li Haotong, who bottomed out and rebounded, will meet the test of the PGA Tour with a new look, which is worthy of our common expectations.
Another pitch where you can play low
Waile Country Club, 7044 yards, par 70
(Bird's Eye View of Waile Country Resort Course)
Since 1965, Wyelet Country Club has been the sole venue for the Sony Open in Hawaii. Designed by Seth Renault and Charles Banks, the stadium is one of the oldest venues on the PGA Tour. Unlike last week's Kapalua Plantation Stadium, the Waile course has a flatter layout and narrower fairways.
(Stadium view)
While the sea breeze may be a factor, the championship average has also been -19 in the past ten games, with only 14 (about 4.8 percent) of the 292 rounds handed over by 73 players who have played four rounds. It is not difficult to see that the course setting is very conducive to scoring.
(Hole 16 "W" tree)
Behind the green on Hole 16 there is the course's signature landscape – four coconut trees arranged in a "W" shape, which is also known as the "W" hole. The "W" tree is a photo punching spot for many golf enthusiasts, and has won the club a series of National View Awards and even become a popular choice for wedding venues.
Record on 72 holes: 253, Justin Thomas (2017)
Record on 18 holes: 59, Justin Thomas (2017 first round)
The departure time of the first round of some players
January 14, Beijing time
2:00 Abraham Anser/Halis Inglish/Billy Hoschel
2:10 Hideki Matsuyama/Kevin Kisner/Webb Simpson
6:30 Stuart Zink/Cory Connors/Graeme McDowell
6:40 Ren Chengzai /Mark Leishman/Matt Jones
6:50 Cameron Smith /Taylor Gucci/Luo Xiangyu
7:30 Chase Seiffert/Davis Riley/Li Haotong