The Sony Open betting preview: odds, predictions and tips

The PGA Tour is starting a week later than planned in 2026, but the season is all set to be a cracker and this week’s Sony Open is a great punting opportunity.

The Sony Open odds

• Russell Henley 11/1
• Ben Griffin 16/1
• Hideki Matsuyama 16/1
• JJ Spaun 16/1
• Si Woo Kim 20/1
• Collin Morikawa 20/1
• Keegan Bradley 20/1
• Robert MacIntyre 22/1
• Corey Conners 25/1
• Maverick McNealy 30/1

Odds with bet365 .

Quick tips for The Sony Open Golf

• Most appeal among the favourites – 20/1 each-way with Betfred
• Bigger price available – 40/1 with Paddy Power
• To land another Top 20 finish – 9/2 with bet365

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The Sony Open betting preview

The 2026 PGA Tour season is kicking off with just one week in Hawaii – rather than the normal fortnight – but it remains a popular spot for golfers to begin the year. 

And punters have always liked the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, too, because the course sets up well for some players – and badly for others. 

It is a very flat layout with plenty of doglegged fairways and, while it is not heavily tree-lined, there are enough trees to demand that players take the safe options from the tees or risk trouble. Traditionally that has hampered the chances of big-hitters even though the yardage of the card is short.

It is also right on the Pacific Ocean so it is vulnerable to the trade winds.

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Finally, it features Bermuda grass so it is essential to identify golfers who can putt on grainy greens.

There are three former winners in the top five of the betting – Russell Henley, Hideki Matsuyama and Si Woo Kim – and all of them have strong claims.

But this is also a fine opportunity for outsiders to land top fives or top 10s – and maybe even win.

Who are the best bets this week? Let’s find out.

The Sony Open betting tips

JJ Spaun Each Way

Last year’s US Open champion had early difficulties at Waialae with his first five visits reaping just one weekend of golf, and that only resulted in T47.

But he was tied second at halfway when T12 in 2023 and the 54-hole leader when third last year.

What’s more, playing on blustery, Bermuda-grassed greens has suited him in the last 18 months. 

In addition to his near miss in this event, he lost play-offs at TPC Sawgrass and TPC Southwind, was second at PGA National and third at Sedgefield.

He makes most appeal among the favourites and is 20/1 each way at Betfred

Nico Echavarria Each Way

The Chilean has a soft spot for courses like Waialae. That is, courses that have Bermuda grass on the greens, are near the sea, and a touch above 7,000 yards.  

Sea Island in Georgia fits the bill and he was second there in late 2024, shortly before he was second at Waialae this time last year (he only lost in extra holes). 

At the end of last year, he was at it again, finishing fourth at Sea Island. 

He can contend here in Hawaii again and is a tasty each way price to do so.

You can get 40/1 with PaddyPower

Seonghyeon Kim Top 20

The Korean has played Waialae twice and enjoyed himself on both occasions.

He was T12 on debut in 2023 and then T30 in 2024 when he thrashed a second round 64.

He arrives at the course this year fresh from a season on the second tier in which he impressed with one win plus a play-off defeat in the Bahamas on a course much like this week’s.

He ended 2025 with a run of five straight top 20 finishes and this well-suited test gives him a great chance of making it six in a row.

He’s 9/2 with bet365 to land another top 20

How to watch the Sony Open

• Venue – Waialae Country Club, Hawaii
• Date – Thursday 15th January – Sunday 18th January
• Broadcast – Full coverage on Sky Sports Golf

About the author

Matt Cooper

Matt Cooper has been a golf journalist for 15 years. He’s worked for, among others, Golf365, SkySports, ESPN, NBC, Sporting Life, Open.com and the Guardian. He specialises in feature writing, reporting and tournament analysis. He’s covered numerous Opens, Ryder Cups and Solheim Cups, and travelled to golfing destinations as varied as Kazakhstan, South Korea, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Find Matt on Twitter @MattCooperGolf

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