Golf is back. Finally. The 2026 PGA Tour season just kicked off at the Sony Open in Hawaii, and if you were expecting a slow, sleepy start at Waialae Country Club, you clearly haven't been watching Nick Taylor lately.
Right now, the guy is on fire.
As of late Thursday, January 15, 2026, we have a dead heat at the top. Nick Taylor and Kevin Roy are currently winning the PGA's first full-field event of the year, both sitting at 8-under par after blistering opening rounds of 62.
It’s kind of wild to see Taylor back in this exact position. He won here in 2025 in a playoff, and he looks like he never left. He’s now put together 17 straight rounds of par-or-better at this course. Honestly, some players just find a "home" course where the grass looks greener and the holes look like buckets. For Taylor, Waialae is that place.
The Leaderboard: Who is Winning the PGA Right Now?
The scores are low. Real low. The wind didn't show up like the weather apps predicted, and the pros absolutely feasted on the soft conditions.
- T1: Nick Taylor (-8) – The defending champ. Bogey-free 62. He made six birdies on his final ten holes.
- T1: Kevin Roy (-8) – Matching him blow for blow with a 62 of his own.
- T3: Ben Griffin (-7) – Finished 2025 with a win and hasn't lost a step.
- T3: Chris Gotterup (-7) – Credited his sharp play to his recent reps in the TGL simulator league.
- T3: Johannes VanDerLaan (-7) – The underdog story of the afternoon.
It’s a crowded house at the top. You've also got guys like Austin Smalley and Joe Parry just two shots back at 6-under.
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Why Nick Taylor is the Story (Again)
We haven't seen a repeat winner at the Sony Open since Jimmy Walker did it back in 2015. Taylor is trying to end that decade-long drought. He told reporters after his round that the course just "fits his eye," which is the polite pro-golfer way of saying he owns the place.
His iron play was surgical today. He wasn't just hitting greens; he was leaving himself ten-footers for birdie all day long. When a guy like Taylor starts reading the Bermuda greens this well, the rest of the field should probably start worrying.
What About the Big Names?
If you came here looking for Scottie Scheffler or Rory McIlroy, you’ll have to wait a week or two. The heavy hitters often skip the trip to Honolulu to prep for the West Coast swing, but that doesn't mean the quality is lacking.
Russell Henley, currently ranked No. 5 in the world, is the betting favorite this week and he's lurking. Henley has a history here—he won his first-ever PGA Tour start at this tournament years ago. He’s currently inside the top 10 after a solid opening 65 (-5).
Keep an eye on Ben Griffin, too. He’s currently 8th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and is playing some of the most consistent golf of his career. He looked incredibly comfortable today, which is scary for a guy who has already proven he can win in pressure-cooker situations.
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The Rookie Surge: Johnny Keefer and the New Blood
Every year, we ask who is winning the PGA from the "next gen" category. In 2026, the name on everyone's lips is Johnny Keefer. He was the Korn Ferry Tour Player of the Year in 2025—a feat previously accomplished by some guy named Scottie Scheffler.
Keefer entered the week ranked 48th in the world without even having a full season on the PGA Tour under his belt. He’s got that "it" factor. While he isn't leading the Sony Open just yet, his presence in the field is a reminder that the depth on Tour right now is deeper than it’s ever been.
What to Watch for in Round 2
Friday is going to be a battle. The "morning wave" vs. the "afternoon wave" usually dictates who makes the cut and who goes home to pack their bags.
Basically, if the wind stays down, expect the lead to hit -14 or -15 by Friday evening. If the breeze picks up off the Pacific, things will get chaotic. Waialae is a positional course. You can't just bomb it 350 yards and hope for the best. You have to be smart. You have to hit fairways.
Kevin Roy is the wildcard here. Unlike Taylor, he doesn't have the "defending champ" pedigree, but he played some of the best golf of his life on Thursday. Can he back up a 62 with something in the 60s? That's always the hardest part of professional golf—following up a career round with a solid one.
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Actionable Insights for Golf Fans
If you're following the action this weekend, don't just look at the raw score. Pay attention to Strokes Gained: Approach. The greens at Waialae are small and tricky. Whoever is hitting their proximity numbers the closest is going to be the one holding the trophy on Sunday.
Also, watch the par-5 18th. It’s a reachable hole for almost everyone in the field, and it’s where the lead will likely be won or lost during the final hour of the broadcast.
Key stats to track:
- Scrambling percentage: The bunkers at Waialae can be punishing if you miss the small greens.
- Driving Accuracy: If you're in the rough here, you're dead. The grain makes it impossible to control your spin.
- Putts per GIR: Nick Taylor is currently leading this category for the week, which is why he's at the top of the board.
The 2026 season is officially in full swing. Whether it's the redemption of a veteran or the breakout of a rookie, the leaderboard is already telling a hell of a story.
Check the live scores on the PGA Tour app or tune into the Golf Channel coverage starting at 7:00 PM EST for the second round. The cut line is currently projected at -3, so there is going to be a massive scramble for those middle-of-the-pack players to stay in the hunt for the weekend.
Next Steps for Following the Leaderboard
To stay updated on who is winning the PGA throughout the weekend:
- Monitor the "Wave" Times: Check if the leaders are teeing off early or late on Friday; the late starters often face tougher, crustier greens.
- Watch the FedExCup Points: Remember that in 2026, every point matters more for qualifying for the Signature Events later this spring.
- Check the Weather: If the Honolulu wind gusts exceed 15 mph, look for veterans like Matt Kuchar or Russell Henley to make a move, as they excel in "flighting" the ball low.
The leaderboard will shift quickly, but for now, Nick Taylor is the man to beat.