Breaking: The Sony Open in Hawaii tees off today at Waialae Country Club, and Round 1 is set to move fast. This is the first full-field PGA Tour stop of the year, and the classic Honolulu layout is ready to reward accuracy and nerve. I have your Thursday plan, from tee sheet rhythm to TV windows to smart props, plus the course cues that decide who goes low.
How to watch, when to watch
Round 1 uses morning and afternoon waves off both tees. The first groups go out shortly after sunrise, with the second wave taking over around midday. Honolulu runs five hours behind Eastern Time, so fans on the mainland get prime-time golf once the sun drops in Hawaii.
Golf Channel carries live coverage in the United States this evening. Featured groups and full-shots coverage stream throughout the day on ESPN+. Live radio play-by-play is available on SiriusXM. Expect ShotLink data to light up as soon as the first groups clear the opening hole.
- TV: Golf Channel, prime-time in the U.S.
- Streaming: ESPN+ featured groups and main feed
- Radio: SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio
- Time note: Hawaii is five hours behind Eastern Time
Set alerts for the afternoon wave. That is when winds tend to rise, and scores can swing.
Featured groups and Round 1 flow
Tournament officials stacked marquee names across both waves. The morning will showcase precision players who thrive on tight fairways and tidy wedges. The afternoon card leans on star power, including recent winners and several sharp rookies looking to prove it on a shot maker’s course. Defending champions and past Waialae winners anchor the sheet, and two groups late in the day could set the scoring pace if the breeze holds off.
If you want a rhythm for viewing, start with the back nine finishers from the morning wave. Waialae’s closing stretch invites birdies when calm. Then shift to the first few holes of the afternoon groups, which offer scoring chances before the trades build.
Kapalua form is not a cheat code here. Waialae flips the test, from wide fairways and elevation to tight corridors, short irons, and Bermuda greens.
What wins at Waialae
Waialae is a par 70 seaside test that does not need brute force. It rewards a clean strike, smart lines, and a hot putter. Drivers get choked down. Fairways matter more than raw speed. The greens are firm enough to demand control, yet small enough that wedge proximity rules the day.
Winning scores often land in the low to mid 20s under par when the wind rests. If the trades kick, the target drops to the teens under par. That puts a premium on three numbers for me. Fairways gained. Approach from 125 to 175 yards. Putting on Bermuda, especially from five to fifteen feet. Players who flight wedges down and control spin tend to separate here. And if you like angles, watch the par 4s between 400 and 450 yards. That is the heartbeat of Waialae.
Smart picks and props for Thursday
Round 1 is about getting on the right side of the breeze and the right skill set. Here is how I am building my opening card today.
- Favor morning starters for lower round scores if flags hang limp.
- Target top 30 drivers in accuracy for top 20 markets.
- Lean over on birdie props for short par 4s, especially early in each wave.
- Fade high-variance bombers in afternoon head to heads if the trades are up.
Watch the first two groups on each side. If you see balls checking hard on mid-wedges, greens are receptive. Birdie lines get stronger.
The feel on the ground
The Sony Open is a real vibe. Aloha shirts on the tees. Youth clinics along the range. Volunteers moving with precision. It is a home game for shot makers. Fans line the short par 4s and cheer wedges that stop inside ten feet. Players respect this place because it is honest. You hit your number, you get paid. You miss your line, you scramble.
That culture seeps into the leaderboard. Calm days invite a sprint. Windy spells reward patience and course craft. Round 1 will show us which story we get this week.
Bottom line
Round 1 is live, and the first full-field test of the year is all about control. Watch the wind, lean into accuracy, and let Bermuda putters guide your card. I will track scoring pockets and swing splits through the day as Waialae reveals the week’s form. Prime-time golf, tight targets, and quick math. Settle in. The Sony Open is on.
