Friday morning golf hits different when the backdrop is the Pacific Ocean. If you're looking for where was the pga played today, the answer is the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Hawaii.
We are currently in the thick of the Sony Open in Hawaii, which is the first full-field event of the 2026 PGA Tour season. While the hardcore golf fans have been up since the crack of dawn watching the early groupings, most of us are just trying to keep track of the leaderboard as the second round unfolds. It’s a vibe. Honolulu is roughly five hours behind the East Coast, so the action is basically just hitting its stride while the rest of the country is thinking about dinner.
The Course Most People Get Wrong
Waialae isn't your typical "bomb and gouge" course. It’s a par-70 layout that stretches just over 7,040 yards. In the world of modern pro golf, that’s actually pretty short. But here’s the thing: it’s tight. If you aren't hitting the fairway, the palm trees and the coastal winds will absolutely wreck your scorecard.
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Honestly, the wind is the real defender of this course. When the trades aren't blowing, these guys treat the place like a dartboard. We saw Nick Taylor and Kevin Roy tear it up in the opening round with 62s, but today is the "moving day" for the cut line.
Why the Sony Open Matters Right Now
This isn't just another tournament. It's the gateway for the rest of the year. Because it’s the first full-field event, it's where the rookies and the guys who just earned their cards through the Korn Ferry Tour get their first real taste of the big show.
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- The Stakes: A $9.1 million purse is on the line.
- The Points: Players are chasing those early-season FedExCup points to avoid the stress of the bubble later in August.
- The Vibe: It’s tropical, sure, but the pressure is intense because missing the cut here feels like a bad omen for the West Coast swing.
What Really Happened in the Second Round
Today, January 16, was all about the cut line. At Waialae, the drama usually centers on those sitting around -2 or -3. If you're hovering there, you're sweating. The course playing firm means the greens are getting faster as the sun bakes them throughout the afternoon.
We saw some big names struggling with the transitions. It’s kinda wild how a professional can shoot a 64 one day and follow it up with a 73 because the wind shifted ten degrees. That’s Hawaii golf for you.
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Where Was the PGA Played Today? Beyond the Main Tour
It’s worth noting that while the main PGA Tour is in Honolulu, the golf world is starting to wake up elsewhere too. We are just days away from the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai (the PGA Tour Champions opener), which stays in the islands but moves over to the Big Island.
If you're wondering about the "PGA" in general, you might also be seeing news about the PGA West courses in La Quinta, California. They aren't playing there today, but that’s the next stop for the American Express tournament starting January 22.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to catch the end of the round or plan your weekend viewing, here’s what you actually need to do:
- Check the Tee Times: Remember the Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST). If it’s 6:00 PM in New York, it’s only 1:00 PM in Honolulu. The leaders usually finish their rounds late into the evening for East Coast viewers.
- Watch the "Aon Swing 5": This is a newer points system. The Sony Open is the first chance for players to earn their way into the "Signature Events" (the big money tournaments with limited fields). Keep an eye on the guys in the top 10 who aren't household names yet.
- Stream the Featured Groups: If you have ESPN+, use the multi-cast. Watching the featured groups at Waialae is better than the main broadcast because you get a better sense of how the coastal wind actually affects the ball flight on the signature par-3s.
The leaderboard is fluid, and with the way the wind is whipping off the water today, nobody is safe until they’re in the clubhouse with a cold drink. Keep your eyes on the -8 and -9 markers—that’s where the trophy is going to be won or lost tomorrow.