Nick Taylor and Co. Share the Lead at the Sony Open in Hawaii
Defending champion Nick Taylor continues to impress at the US PGA Tour Sony Open, remaining tied for the top spot after a competitive second round. As the tournament unfolds at the scenic Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, Taylor finds himself in a five-way tie for the halfway lead.
Taylor’s Performance
On Friday, Canada’s Taylor carded a one-under-par 69, bringing his cumulative score to nine-under 131. Although he started the day tied with Kevin Roy at eight-under, birdies on the 15th and 16th holes briefly propelled him to ten-under. However, a bogey on the par-three 17th brought him back to the pack.
Taylor’s Thoughts on the Conditions
"The wind was strong and with some gusts," Taylor noted, describing the challenging conditions on the par-70 course. "A lot of holes were relatively crosswind, so it was tough to get yardages correctly. I felt like I hit it probably not as good off the tee today, but it was definitely difficult with the wind."
A Cohesive Lead Pack
In addition to Taylor, Kevin Roy maintained his position at the top with a solid one-under 69, which also featured four birdies, capped by a final flourish at the par-five ninth hole. They are joined by Davis Riley, South Korean Kim Seong-hyeon, and Belgian Adrien Dumont de Chassart, all tied at nine-under.
Round Highlights:
- Davis Riley: Delivered the best round of the day with a remarkable six-under 64, including seven birdies and a bogey.
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart: Achieved a three-under 67.
- Kim Seong-hyeon: Finished with a two-under 68.
The leading quintet is just one stroke ahead of a group of four players tied for sixth at 132.
Vijay Singh’s Comeback
In a noteworthy moment, former world number one Vijay Singh, at 62 years old, successfully made the cut in his first PGA Tour appearance since 2021. He’s utilizing a one-time career money exemption allowing him full-field participation due to his standing among the top 50 in career earnings. Singh finished the day with a two-under 68 in his opening round, followed by an even-par 70 on Friday, making the cut by two strokes.
Event Overview
This event marks a fresh start for the PGA Tour in 2026, especially after the cancellation of The Sentry at Kapalua due to drought and water restrictions affecting the Maui course.
As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on the lead group, as tension and excitement mount heading into the weekend.
Key Statistics:
| Player | Score | Round 2 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Nick Taylor | -9 (69) | 4 Birdies, 3 Bogeys |
| Kevin Roy | -9 (69) | 4 Birdies |
| Davis Riley | -9 (64) | 7 Birdies, 1 Bogey |
| Kim Seong-hyeon | -9 (68) | 2 Birdies |
| Adrien Dumont de Chassart | -9 (67) | 3 Birdies |
| Vijay Singh | +2 (68, 70) | Made cut |
As the competition heats up, golf enthusiasts worldwide will be eagerly following the performances of these talented players, as the Sony Open promises an exciting weekend of golf ahead.
