Sony Open History: A look back at the Top 5 moments

Just like your dentist who treats his family once a year, The PGA Tour kicks off the season in Hawaii between two islands. They finish the Aloha double with the Sony Open at The Waialae Country Club, which predates the Hawaiian statehood.

The 1927 Seth Raynor design hold more wonder than your Daddy’s nightstand drawer did when you were hitting it 200 yards and puberty even harder. Such a storied place. Here are my Top 5 moments at Waialae CC;

1. Hideki Matsuyama brings the drama

2022, January 16th

At the 2022 Sony Open Hideki was down 5 on the back nine at Waialae in Honolulu Hawaii. Matsuyama caught fire and forced a playoff with the current leader and winner of the 2013 Sony Open, Russell Henley. A man who won the tournament in his first career start on the PGA Tour.

On the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, with his second shot Hideki smoked his 3-wood off the fairway Bermuda 276 yards and snuggled his ball to 3 feet. What makes this even more remarkable is this is the actual size of the hog he had to drag up to the green. Compelling stuff. I have goosebumps just thinking about it.

He would go on to tap in for eagle to claim his eighth win of his PGA TOUR career over Russell “Not Don’s Son” Henley.

2. Justin Thomas’ historical wire-to-wire beatdown

2017, January 15th

Who remembers when JT was absolutely deadly? From 2017 to 2019 this guy was hotter than two rats fuckin’ in a wool sock. During this stretch the man from Louisville racked up 10 of his 15 wins including his first major, the ‘17 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.

That’s nearing Lindsey Lohan in ‘Herbie Fully Loaded’, just smoldering.

Coming off a win at The Sentry at Kapalua the week prior, JT continued his campaign for dominance during the opening round of the Sony Open. Thomas was dropping every putt, draining spiny chips from distance, and carving up the Raynor design to a historic first round 59.

Bookending his front and back nine with eagles on 9 & 10, he was able to reach the coveted number while carding 1 bogey.

Justin may not have finished with a degree at Bama, but he was all business going wire-to-wire never relinquishing the lead to win by 7 strokes.

Capping off the Aloha double, his playing partner and long time eskimo-brother Jordan Spieth admitted he felt like he had been playing for second place. Then placing 3rd behind Justin Rose.

3. Isao Aoki dunks an eagle on 18 in ‘83

1983, February 13th   

At the 1980 U.S. Open the man from the land of the rising sun, Aoki had his best career PGA Tour finish of second place, only losing to Jack Nicklaus. While lighting it up on the PGA Tour of Japan, Isao racked up 33 wins before ‘83.

Finding himself in the rough on 18 at the 1983 Sony Open and needing a birdie to tie the current leader, Isao Aoki found himself between loud cheers from hundreds of Japanese tourists ready to erupt among the tournament volunteers in red and yellow Hawaiian shirts.

The then leader, Renner, had striped a persimmon fairway wood to within 18 feet of the flag. His eagle putt lipped out as he then drained a birdie and held on to a one-shot lead.

Then he watched on the sunny, muggy day, the last of numerous contenders. He seemed to have clinched, at worst, a playoff spot a birdie. Then came Aoki's shot. 

Isao duck-hooked his shot into the crowd, hitting a spectator and coming back into the rough leaving him with 127 yards to the pin.

His slender frame drowning in millennial-grey bell bottoms with a swing as smooth as sake-bombs, he stuffed his wedge for what looked like a sure birdie putt. The ball one-hopped and slammed into the jar. Giving Japanese superstar, Isao Aoki his only PGA Tour win with a big-bird.

He would amass a staggering 80 wins in a storied career outside of the US.

Renner would get his redemption and go on to win the Sony Open the following year.

4. Jimmy Walker goes #FullSend to lap the field

2015, January 18th  

7 days prior at the then called Hyundai Tournament of Champions (Sentry Open), Walker lost in a playoff to ‘Captain America’ himself, Mr. Patrick Reed.

Coming back to Oahu after claiming victory at the ‘14 Sony Open the year prior at Waialea, the man would not be stopped because at that point of his career he was HIM, Himmy Walker.

Walker started slow on the final round but then made all seven of his birdies over the final 11 holes. Walker ran away with it winning by 9 shots over Scott Piercy. Giving him the largest margin of victory on tour since Brian Gay won the RBC Heritage by 10 shots in 2009.

Jimmy Walker was the first and last repeat winner of this tournament since the Ernie Els in 2004.

5. Ernie Els rips Aaron Baddeley’s heart out

2003, January 22nd  

In 2003 The Big Easy was on a tear, kicking the shit out of fellow competitors at Kapalua like he does for fun on his private jet, with a stunning 31-under performance. Going for the Aloha double, he set himself up to win the following week at the Waialea. He always had trouble taking down Tiger Woods, but for everybody else, he was an absolute nightmare.

Does anyone remember Aaron Baddeley? The phenom out of Australia who was supposed to be the next wunderkind of the golf world. He was all that stood in Big Ern’s way to sweep in Hawaii.

The then 21-year-old Aussie, in his first event as a PGA Tour member, with ice in his veins forced a playoff by holing a 10-footer for birdie at the 72nd. He then had a solid look for birdie at the second playoff hole while Els was lining up a 43 footer from just off the green.

That’s when Els showed why you don’t want to catch those hands. The South African buried the putt from what felt like another island, an incredible knockout punch to the rook.

Baddeley still had a look, and he finessed his mid-range putt only for it to come up just short, dead in the heart of the cup. A dagger and a tough way to lose, but an awesome duel to go toe-to-toe with Ernie Els.

The Big Easy would then go back-to-back, winning the 2004 Sony Open the following year.

Honorable Mentions

• The Big Wieasy - Michelle Wie almost makes the cut at 14-years old in the 2004 Sony Open. She missed the cut two times.

• Inaugural Hawaiian Open Champion - Gay Brewer Jr. won the very first tournament back in 1965, then called the Hawaiian Open. With immaculate drip, Brewer beat Bob Goalby in a playoff and took home a $9,000 check. Bills y’all.

Hopefully we see something this weekend that adds to the dad lore of tomorrow. In the meantime I’ll be watching fellas that make the game look too easy in the golden sunshine while i’m freezing my dick off.

Until next time,

Rex Trous