If you’ve spent any time looking at a calendar lately, you know that mid-January usually means one thing for golf fans: the "Aloha Swing." Honestly, there is nothing quite like watching the best players in the world navigate palm trees and ocean breezes while most of us are scraping ice off our windshields. If you are wondering where is the pga at this week, the answer is the Sony Open in Hawaii, hosted at the historic Waiʻalae Country Club in Honolulu.
It's the first full-field event of the 2026 season.
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While last week’s Sentry (formerly the Tournament of Champions) was a limited-field, elite-only affair on Maui, this week is where the "real" season begins for the rank-and-file of the PGA Tour. We're talking 144 players, a 36-hole cut, and all the drama of guys fighting for their livelihoods in paradise.
The Vibe at Waiʻalae Country Club
Waiʻalae isn’t your typical modern "bomber" course. It’s a par-70 that measures just over 7,000 yards, which by today’s standards is basically a pitch-and-putt for these guys. But don’t let the distance fool you. The wind off the Pacific acts as the course’s primary defense. If the trades start blowing, this place turns into a chess match.
You’ve got a mix of legendary veterans and hungry rookies trying to figure out the grainy Bermudagrass greens. It’s a strategic layout where keeping the ball in the fairway is way more important than hitting it 350 yards.
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Who is playing and what is at stake?
The field this year is surprisingly deep. We’ve got Nick Taylor returning as the defending champion, looking to recapture that 2025 magic that saw him climb into the top tier of the FedExCup. But the headlines are really being stolen by a few specific names:
- Jordan Spieth: Everyone is talking about his "comeback" (again). After a winless 2025, Spieth is starting 2026 at a course where he has historically played well. He needs a hot start to avoid the stress of the "Signature Event" bubble.
- The New Guard: Watch out for guys like Ludvig Åberg and Sahith Theegala. These are the players expected to challenge Scottie Scheffler’s dominance this year.
- Ryder Cup Prep: With Keegan Bradley serving as the U.S. Captain for the 2026 Ryder Cup, he’s not just playing for trophies anymore—he’s scouting.
The purse this week is a cool $9.1 million, with the winner taking home roughly $1.6 million. More importantly, it’s the first real chance for players to earn points for the Aon Swing 5, which is the pathway for non-exempt players to get into the big-money Signature Events later in the spring.
Where is the PGA at this week on your TV?
If you're trying to catch the action from the mainland, you're going to be staying up a bit late. Because Hawaii is several time zones behind the East Coast, the primetime "window" is perfect for evening viewing.
Golf Channel has the primary broadcast rights for the evening rounds, usually from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM ET. However, if you want the "hardcore" experience, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ is the way to go. They start streaming early in the afternoon (around 12:00 PM ET) and follow the "Featured Groups" all the way until the sun goes down in Honolulu.
Basically, you can have golf on your second monitor all day and then move to the couch for the finish.
Why this week feels different in 2026
The 2026 season is a bit of a milestone. It’s the 20th year of the FedExCup, and the Tour has tweaked the points system again. They’ve reduced the points for the "regular" events slightly while amping up the pressure for the playoffs. This makes the Sony Open crucial. If you miss the cut here and stumble at The American Express next week, you’re already behind the 8-ball.
Also, we’re seeing the return of some familiar faces from the LIV transition era. The "Cadillac Championship" at Trump National Doral is back on the schedule for later this year, which has changed the travel patterns for some of the top pros. They’re playing more early in the year to make sure their world ranking is high enough for the majors.
Navigating the Course: What to watch for
When you're watching the broadcast, pay attention to the 17th hole. It’s a par-3 that sits right on the water. It’s iconic. It’s also where many tournaments go to die. If the wind is gusting, a simple 7-iron can turn into a nightmare.
You should also keep an eye on the "Aon Next 10" race. These are the players who finished 51-60 in the previous year's standings. They are fighting for their lives to stay relevant in the new "tiered" system of the PGA Tour. It’s sort of a "league within a league," and the Sony Open is the primary battleground for these guys.
Actionable insights for your weekend
If you're a betting person or just a fan of the stats, look for Strokes Gained: Putting on Bermudagrass. Some guys just can't read the grain in Hawaii, while others—like Si Woo Kim or Matt Kuchar—seem to have a sixth sense for it.
Also, check the weather reports for Saturday. Moving day in Hawaii is notorious for sudden rain squalls that can flip the leaderboard upside down in twenty minutes.
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Next Steps for the Fan:
- Download the PGA Tour App: It’s the only way to track "ShotCast" in real-time, which is essential when the TV broadcast is in a commercial break.
- Check the Tee Times: The morning wave in Hawaii usually gets the best scoring conditions before the wind picks up around 1:00 PM local time.
- Plan for next week: After the Sony Open wraps up on Sunday, the Tour heads to La Quinta, California for The American Express. If you're planning a trip, now is the time to look at tickets for the Stadium Course at PGA WEST.
The 2026 season is officially in full swing. Whether you're watching for the scenery or the high-stakes drama of the FedExCup chase, Waiʻalae is providing the perfect backdrop this week.