The air in Honolulu is thick with the scent of saltwater and the distinct, high-pitched "ping" of drivers at Waialae Country Club. It’s Thursday, January 15, 2026, and the golf world has its eyes fixed on one man: Jordan Spieth.
But if you’re looking for a definitive answer on whether he made the cut, you've gotta hold your horses just a second.
Today is actually Round 1 of the 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii. Because this is the opening round of the tournament, the "cut" hasn't happened yet. In the world of the PGA Tour, the cut typically occurs after 36 holes—meaning we won't officially know if Jordan Spieth makes the weekend until Friday evening’s scores are tallied.
He's currently on the course for his first competitive start in five months. It's a big deal. Honestly, for Spieth fans, it's a bit of a nail-biter. He’s coming off a 2025 season that was, let's be real, a total rollercoaster. After dealing with that lingering wrist injury and subsequent surgery, his world ranking plummeted to 80th. Seeing him back in the tee box feels like the start of a redemption arc, or at least we hope so.
Why Did Jordan Spieth Make the Cut Today is Trending?
People are frantically searching for his status because of how his last trip to Waialae ended. Back in 2023, Spieth actually held the 18-hole lead. He looked untouchable. Then, in classic "Spiethian" fashion, he followed it up with a disastrous second round and missed the cut entirely. It was one of the most baffling exits of his career.
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Fans are checking the leaderboard early this year to see if he's exorcised those demons.
The Thursday Grind at the 2026 Sony Open
Jordan is grouped with some serious firepower today. He's playing alongside:
- Keegan Bradley (The 2025 Ryder Cup Captain)
- Hideki Matsuyama (A former Sony Open champ)
They teed off in the afternoon wave. This means while the morning guys were finishing up their rounds in relatively calm winds, Spieth and his crew are battling the trade winds that usually whip up off the Pacific around 2:00 PM local time. Waialae is a course that demands precision. It’s short, it’s flat, and it’s got those tiny Bermuda greens that can make even the best putters look like amateurs if their speed is off.
The Long Road Back from Wrist Surgery
You can't talk about Spieth in 2026 without talking about his health. He spent most of last year trying to "find it" while his wrist was essentially held together by tape and prayers before he finally opted for the procedure.
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According to experts like Bob Harig from Sports Illustrated, Spieth is one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 season. He's currently outside the top 50 in the world, which means he isn't automatically getting into the "Signature Events." He has to earn his way back. That makes every single round—including today’s—massive for his FedEx Cup point total.
If he wants to make the cut tomorrow, he needs to find the fairway. Last time he was here, he hit only about 50% of his fairways. You can get away with that at a place like Augusta, but at Waialae? The rough is grabby. If you're out of position, you're scrambling for par.
What the Leaderboard Looks Like Right Now
Since the afternoon wave is still on the course, the leaderboard is fluid. We’re seeing guys like J.J. Spaun and Collin Morikawa post solid numbers in the morning. Morikawa, in particular, looks like he’s on a mission after a winless 2025.
For Spieth, the goal for today isn't necessarily to lead. It’s to stay in the red. A round of 68 or 67 keeps him right in the thick of it. If he starts hovering around even par or over, the "did Jordan Spieth make the cut" question becomes a lot more stressful tomorrow.
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The Mental Game: Is the "Magic" Back?
We all know the Spieth experience. It’s the "look out" shots followed by a 40-foot birdie putt. It’s the conversations with his caddie, Michael Greller, that sound more like a therapy session than a yardage discussion.
There's a lot of talk among the galleries today about his swing. It looks a bit more compact. There's less of that "wonky" practice move he used to do a dozen times before every shot. He told reporters earlier this week that he feels "free" for the first time in years. Whether that freedom translates into a Sunday trophy remains to be seen.
What to Expect for Friday
Since today is just the beginning, here is the roadmap for the rest of the week:
- Friday, Jan 16: This is the "Moving Day" for the cut line. Usually, the top 65 players (including ties) move on to the weekend.
- The Cut Line Prediction: At Waialae, the cut usually falls around -2 or -3. If Jordan is sitting at -1 after today, he’ll have some work to do tomorrow morning.
- TV Coverage: You can catch the conclusion of his round on the Golf Channel from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET.
Honestly, golf is better when Jordan Spieth is in the mix on the weekend. He brings a level of drama that few other players can match. Whether he's holing out from a bunker or hitting it into a backyard, you can't look away.
Keep an eye on the live scoring apps this evening. If he can avoid the "big number" on the par-4s, he should be in great shape to play through Sunday. We'll have a much clearer picture of his weekend status by about 6:00 PM Hawaii time tomorrow.
Next Steps for Golf Fans:
Check the official PGA Tour leaderboard after 10:00 PM ET tonight to see Jordan's final Round 1 score. This will tell you exactly what he needs to shoot on Friday to officially make the cut. You should also keep an eye on the "Strokes Gained: Putting" stats; if Spieth is in the top 10 in that category tonight, he's a genuine threat to win the whole thing.