If you’re checking the leaderboard this week, you’re probably seeing a bunch of names you didn't expect. Honestly, that’s the beauty of the early-season West Coast and Hawaii swing. But when people ask who's winning the pga right now, they’re usually looking for one of two things: who is leading the tournament today, or who is actually ruling the golf world as we kick off 2026.
Right now, we are literally in the middle of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae. It’s early. The trade winds are blowing, and the leaderboard is a bit of a mess. As of Saturday, January 17, 2026, we’ve got a dogfight at the top. Nick Taylor, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, and Kevin Roy have all been trading blows at the summit, sitting around 8-under or 9-under par.
It's tight.
You’ve also got guys like Ben Griffin and Chris Gotterup lurking just a shot back. If you’re looking for a "winner" today, it’s basically anyone’s game heading into the final rounds in Honolulu. But let’s be real—the guy who is truly winning the PGA in the broader sense isn't even in Hawaii this week.
The King of the Rankings: Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler is still the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world. Period.
He hasn't even teed it up yet in 2026, but he’s still World No. 1 by a massive margin. He’s basically the final boss of professional golf. Last year, in 2025, the guy was a walking ATM. He won the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, and he just kept on rolling.
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He’s scheduled to make his season debut next week at The American Express (Jan 22-25). People are wondering if he can keep up that absurd ball-striking. He probably will. If he putts even "okay," the rest of the field is playing for second place. It's kinda scary how consistent he is.
The New Threat: Tommy Fleetwood’s Rise
If you follow golf even casually, you know the "Tommy Fleetwood hasn't won in America" joke lived way too long. Well, it’s dead now.
Fleetwood is arguably the hottest player on the planet not named Scottie. He won the 2025 FedEx Cup, which was huge. He grabbed that $10 million bonus and basically cemented himself as the World No. 3.
- The Numbers: Fleetwood was the only guy within a stroke of Scheffler’s per-round average last season.
- The Vibe: He’s playing with a level of confidence we haven’t seen since his Ryder Cup heroics.
- The Goal: Everyone is watching to see if he can turn that FedEx Cup momentum into a Major win in 2026.
Rory and the Rest of the Pack
Rory McIlroy is currently World No. 2. He won the Masters last year—finally—completing the career Grand Slam. You’d think he’d take a breather, right?
Nope.
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McIlroy has already been active, and he’s still the most explosive player on the PGA Tour. He’s already got wins on the 2026 schedule, specifically at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Players Championship (yeah, the schedule is a bit different these days).
Who Else is Lurking?
- Xander Schauffele: Always there. He’s currently World No. 4 and basically a top-10 machine.
- Ludvig Åberg: The kid is the future. He won the Genesis Invitational already this year. He hits it a mile and doesn't seem to have a pulse, which is great for high-pressure Sundays.
- J.J. Spaun: A bit of a surprise, but he’s currently sitting at No. 6 in the world rankings. He’s been incredibly gritty lately.
What Most People Get Wrong About "Winning"
People think who's winning the pga is just about the trophy on Sunday. In the 2026 landscape, it’s more about the FedEx Cup points and the Signature Events.
The PGA Tour has leaned hard into these "Signature Events" like the Truist Championship and the Cadillac Championship. These are the limited-field, high-purse tournaments where the big dogs actually play. If you aren't winning those, you aren't really "winning" the season.
Right now, the points list is a bit skewed because the big names are just starting their seasons. But by the time we hit the Florida swing in March, you can bet the usual suspects—Scheffler, McIlroy, and Fleetwood—will be back at the top of the standings.
What’s Next on the Schedule?
If you’re trying to keep track of the wins, here is how the next few weeks look. It’s a gauntlet.
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Next week is The American Express in La Quinta. That’s where Scheffler returns. Then we head to Torrey Pines for the Farmers Insurance Open. It’s a classic "big boy" golf course.
Honestly, the real season starts in February. That’s when the WM Phoenix Open happens (absolute chaos at TPC Scottsdale) and we see the fields get really deep.
Why You Should Watch the Sony Open Today
Even though the "stars" are resting, the guys playing in Hawaii right now are fighting for their lives. Winning at Waialae means a two-year exemption and a trip to the Masters. For someone like Nick Taylor or Kevin Roy, that is a life-changing result.
Actionable Insights for Golf Fans
If you're betting or just trying to stay ahead of your friends in the office pool, keep these things in mind for the 2026 season:
- Watch the Putting: Scheffler is the best in the world, but his putting is his only weakness. If he starts the year putting well, don't bet against him.
- Fleetwood is Real: Don't treat Tommy’s FedEx Cup win like a fluke. He’s the most consistent challenger to the top two right now.
- The Åberg Factor: Ludvig Åberg is no longer a "rookie to watch." He is a "favorite to win" every time he tees it up.
- Check the Tee Times: In these Hawaii events, the late/early split matters a ton because of the wind. A guy "winning" in the morning can be 5 shots back by sunset just because the breeze kicked up.
The PGA Tour is in a weird, exciting transition right now. We have the established legends like Rory and Scottie, but the middle class of the tour is getting much, much stronger.
Keep an eye on that Sony Open leaderboard tonight. It’s going to be a wild finish.
Keep track of the live leaderboard directly at PGATour.com for the most up-to-second updates as the back nine in Hawaii unfolds.