If you’ve been looking for the golf coverage lately and felt like something was missing, you aren't crazy. The 2026 schedule had a bit of a hiccup. Usually, we're used to the year kicking off with those gorgeous views of Kapalua, but with The Sentry being canceled this year due to water infrastructure issues on Maui, the season essentially started a week late.
So, where is PGA this week? Right now, the action is centered squarely at the Sony Open in Hawaii, held at the iconic Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.
It’s the first full-field event of 2026. Honestly, there’s something special about Waialae. Unlike the massive, undulating fairways of the Plantation Course we usually see first, this place is flat, tight, and demands a lot of precision. If you can’t keep it in the short grass here, you’re basically toast.
The 2026 Sony Open: What’s Happening in Honolulu
This week, January 15–18, is all about the $9.1 million purse and that $1.638 million winner’s check. We’re currently in the thick of it, with the second round underway today, Friday, January 16.
The leaderboard is already looking pretty crowded. Nick Taylor, the defending champion, is right back in the mix trying to pull off a rare back-to-back. He looked solid in the opening round, finishing near the top of the board at 8-under.
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- Venue: Waialae Country Club (Par 70, 7,044 yards)
- Defending Champ: Nick Taylor
- Key Names to Watch: Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa
Speaking of Spieth, all eyes are on him. He had a rough 2025—didn't win a single event and barely scraped into the top 60 of the FedEx Cup. He’s playing alongside Keegan Bradley and Matsuyama this week, and the "Spieth coaster" is already in full effect. He’s trying to find that 2017 magic again, and Hawaii has historically been a place where he finds some momentum, even if he hasn't hoisted this specific trophy yet.
Why this week feels different
Usually, the Sony Open follows a limited-field event, but since this is the actual season opener this time around, the energy is a bit higher. Players who typically skip the trek to Honolulu are here because they need to get their season points started.
You’ve also got some interesting storylines lower down the roster. Vijay Singh is actually in the field this week. He’s 62 years old and using a one-time career money exemption. Watching him compete against guys like Ludvig Åberg (who is resting this week but looming for the California swing) is a wild reminder of how much longevity matters in this sport.
How to watch the PGA this week
If you're trying to catch the broadcast, remember the time difference. Hawaii is significantly behind the mainland.
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For those of us on the East Coast, the live TV window on Golf Channel is basically "nightcap golf." It runs from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET through Sunday. If you want the early action, you have to go to ESPN+. They’ve got the featured groups starting around noon ET.
It's actually the perfect setup for a winter evening—watching the sun set over the Pacific while you're likely shivering under a blanket somewhere in the Midwest.
Where is the PGA going next?
Once the trophy is handed out at Waialae on Sunday, the Tour makes the long flight over the ocean to start the West Coast Swing. If you're planning your TV schedule for the rest of the month, here is where the guys are headed:
- The American Express (Jan 22-25): They'll be in La Quinta, California. This is a pro-am format, which some fans find annoying, but the scoring is always absurdly low.
- Farmers Insurance Open (Jan 29-Feb 1): Torrey Pines in San Diego. This is where the season starts to feel "serious." It's a brutal course compared to the resort styles we see in January.
- WM Phoenix Open (Feb 5-8): TPC Scottsdale. The "People's Open." It's loud, it's chaotic, and it's easily the most unique week on the calendar.
The "Sentry" vacuum and why it matters
A lot of people are asking "where is the PGA this week" because they expected to see the winners-only event last week. The cancellation of The Sentry really threw a wrench in the rhythm of the early season.
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That event usually sets the "power rankings" for the year. Without it, we’re seeing a lot of rust. In the first round at Waialae, you could tell some of the top-tier guys hadn't played a competitive round in months. The scores were still low, but the ball-striking was a bit more erratic than we're used to seeing from world-class pros.
Practical advice for golf fans this weekend
If you're following the leaderboard, don't put too much stock in the Thursday/Friday scores at Waialae. This course is notorious for the "Friday Afternoon Wave." If the winds kick up off the coast, the guys playing in the later groupings can easily lose three or four strokes to the field just based on luck.
Check the wind forecast for Honolulu before you place any weekend bets or set your fantasy lineups. If the trades are blowing, look for the "grinders" like Brian Harman or Russell Henley—guys who keep the ball low and don't rely on 350-yard carries.
By Sunday afternoon, we'll see if Nick Taylor can hold off the resurgent Jordan Spieth. Either way, the 2026 season is finally, officially, off to the races.
Next steps for following the action:
Check the live leaderboard on the PGA Tour app around 4:00 PM ET today to see who made the cut. If you're looking for the best value in the field for Saturday morning, keep an eye on players sitting at -5 or -6 who finished their rounds before the afternoon winds picked up.