It is that time of year again where the golf world splits its attention between the desert sun of the Middle East and the tropical breezes of Hawaii. If you were looking for a slow start to the 2026 season, you aren't going to find it here. Honestly, the leaderboard shifts we saw today were enough to give any fan whiplash. Between Rory McIlroy finding a rhythm that looked almost effortless in Dubai and the sheer unpredictability of the opening round at Waialae, there is a lot to digest.
Golf is weird. One day you’re flushing everything, and the next, the cup looks like it's the size of a thimble.
Rory McIlroy Sets the Pace in Dubai
Let’s start with what happened across the pond at the Dubai Invitational. Rory McIlroy is currently leading the pack, and he did it with a 5-under-par 66. Now, if you’ve watched Rory over the last few years, you know he loves the desert. Something about the sightlines or the grass type just clicks for him. He came out of the gate firing today, picking up four birdies in his first five holes.
It wasn't all perfect, though. The wind started kicking up during his second nine (which was technically the front nine of the course), and he admitted afterward that things got a little "tricky." He made a "silly" bogey on the third hole and failed to take advantage of the par-five that followed. Still, a one-shot lead heading into Friday is exactly where he wants to be.
Who is chasing him?
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A couple of names you might not have expected to see right at the top. Connor Syme, the Scotsman, and David Puig from Spain are both sitting just one stroke back at 4-under. Syme mentioned after his round that he felt like he had the ball under total control, which is golfer-speak for "I’m not terrified of hitting a snap hook into the dunes." Matt Wallace was actually right there with them until a late-round collapse—a double bogey on 16 and another dropped shot on 18—left him two shots back in a tie for third.
The Equipment Twist Everyone Is Talking About
Interestingly, Rory isn't just making headlines for his score. He’s actually gaming a set of cavity-back irons this week. For a guy who has spent the better part of a decade playing blades, this is a massive shift. He told reporters that he's looking for a bit more forgiveness, especially on those slightly off-center strikes. If he wins this week, expect every amateur golfer in the world to start looking for more "forgiveness" in their own bags by Monday morning.
Sony Open in Hawaii: Early Fireworks at Waialae
While Rory was finishing up in Dubai, the guys on the PGA Tour were just getting started at the Sony Open in Hawaii. The results of the golf tournament today in Honolulu are still a bit of a moving target because of the time difference, but the early numbers are wild.
Kevin Roy and Nick Taylor (our defending champ) made some serious noise early on. Taylor, who won here in a playoff last year, looks like he never left. He’s sitting at 6-under par, sharing the top of the leaderboard with Roy. Waialae Country Club is a par-70, and it’s not exactly long by modern standards—about 7,044 yards—but if the wind isn't blowing, these guys will absolutely tear it apart.
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Key Names to Watch at Waialae
- Nick Taylor: The Canadian just seems to have a "vibe" with this course. He’s currently T1.
- Ben Griffin: Sitting pretty at 5-under. He’s been a model of consistency lately.
- Russell Henley: The pre-tournament favorite. He’s always a threat here because he hits so many fairways.
- Hideki Matsuyama: He’s a bit further back but always has the potential to go low on this track.
The thing about the Sony Open is that it’s a positioning game. You don't need to be a long bomber like you do at Kapalua. It’s about angles and putting. If you can't read these grainy greens, you're basically toast.
What the Leaderboards Tell Us Right Now
It is easy to look at a 66 or a 64 and think the course is easy. It isn't. Just ask Matt Wallace, who went from leading to T3 in the span of about twenty minutes. Or ask the guys struggling in the middle of the pack in Hawaii who can't seem to find a fairway to save their lives.
| Tournament | Leader | Score | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai Invitational | Rory McIlroy | -5 | Leading by 1; switching to cavity-back irons. |
| Sony Open in Hawaii | Nick Taylor / Kevin Roy | -6 | Early clubhouse leaders; low scoring conditions. |
Honestly, seeing Nick Taylor back at the top isn't surprising. He’s one of those players who thrives in specific conditions. He’s not the flashiest guy on Tour, but he’s incredibly gritty.
Why Today Matters for the Rest of the Season
We are in the "swing" season of sorts, where players are trying to lock in their FedExCup points early so they aren't sweating it out in July. A win this week for someone like Ben Griffin or Kevin Roy would be life-changing. It’s the difference between picking your schedule for the rest of the year and having to grind out every Monday qualifier.
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For the veterans like Rory, it’s about momentum. He wants to get that first win of 2026 under his belt early so he can focus on the Masters in April. We all know that's the only thing people really want to talk to him about anyway.
Actionable Insights for Golf Fans
- Watch the Wind in Hawaii: The afternoon starters at the Sony Open usually face much tougher conditions. If the leaders from this morning stay at 6-under, they might actually gain ground on the field as the day progresses.
- Check the Equipment Changes: Keep an eye on Rory’s iron play tomorrow. If he continues to flush those cavity-backs, it might signal a permanent change for him.
- DraftKings/Fantasy Pivot: If you’re playing fantasy golf, look for players who are "striking it pure" but maybe haven't made all the putts yet. A guy like Sahith Theegala or Corey Conners often starts slow but finishes like a freight train.
The results of the golf tournament today show that the 2026 season is going to be a dogfight. There’s no such thing as an "easy" win anymore. Whether it’s a Rolex Series event in Dubai or a classic track in Hawaii, the depth of talent is just insane.
Check back tomorrow morning. By then, we’ll see if Rory can hold off the European surge and if Nick Taylor can maintain his "King of Hawaii" status for another 18 holes. The cut line is going to be brutal, especially at the Sony where a single bad hole can ruin your entire week.
Keep an eye on the afternoon wave in Honolulu. If the trade winds stay down, we might see someone post a 62 before the sun goes down. If they pick up? Well, then we’re in for a real scrap.
Next Steps for Following the Action:
- Download the PGA Tour app to track the live "Strokes Gained" data for the Sony Open afternoon wave.
- Tune into the early morning broadcast of the Dubai Invitational (Round 2) to see if McIlroy’s equipment experiment holds up under pressure.
- Monitor the weather reports for Oahu; any shift in wind direction completely changes how holes 16, 17, and 18 play at Waialae.