Sony Open Round 1: Nick Taylor and Kevin Roy Share Lead at Eight Under
Nick Taylor and Kevin Roy opened the 2026 Sony Open with bogey-free 62s. Ben Griffin and Chris Gotterup were among four players one shot behind.
Nick Taylor and Kevin Roy shared the first-round lead at the 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii, each shooting a bogey-free eight-under 62 at Waialae Country Club on January 15. The defending champion and the American held a one-shot advantage after the opening round of the PGA Tour season. Associated Press report.
Ben Griffin, Chris Gotterup, John VanDerLaan and S.H. Kim were together in third at seven under. First-round results.
First-round leaders
| Position | Player | Round | To par |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Nick Taylor | 62 | −8 |
| T1 | Kevin Roy | 62 | −8 |
| T3 | Ben Griffin | 63 | −7 |
| T3 | Chris Gotterup | 63 | −7 |
| T3 | John VanDerLaan | 63 | −7 |
| T3 | S.H. Kim | 63 | −7 |
Taylor was seeking consecutive Sony Open titles after winning the 2025 event in a playoff. Roy matched his career-low PGA Tour round, while VanDerLaan began his rookie season just one stroke off the lead.
Griffin, a member of the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team, started alongside Gotterup in the chasing group. Gotterup would go on to win the tournament; read the final-round report.
Recommended for You
Based on similar topics and tags
Ben Griffin's Ryder Cup Record and Three-Win 2025 Season
Griffin earned one point from two matches at Bethpage and won three PGA TOUR titles in 2025. U.S. qualifying for Adare Manor begins in January 2027.
Rory McIlroy’s 2025 Season: Masters Grand Slam, Bethpage and a Seventh Race to Dubai
McIlroy completed the career Grand Slam at 35, earned 3½ Ryder Cup points and won his seventh European season title on November 16.
Chacarra Wins in India to Lead Europe's 2027 Ryder Cup Points Race
Eugenio Chacarra won the DP World India Championship at 21 under and moved to 555.75 Ryder Cup points, ahead of Adrian Meronk in the October 18 European standings.
Jon Rahm's LIV Exit Agreement: Court Date, Abu Dhabi Return and Ryder Cup Outlook
Rahm has reached a proposed separation agreement with LIV, with court approval still pending on November 5. His next announced start is Abu Dhabi on November 5–8.