2020 Sony Open in Hawaii Recap

Cameron Smith Wins in a Playoff in Hawaii

Honolulu, HI – Cameron Smith (-11) won in dramatic and drawn out fashion at the 2020 Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae CC. He started the final round three shots back of Brendan Steele, closed the gap with a final round 68 and beat Steele with a par on the first playoff hole.

It was the tour’s second week in a row in Hawaii after last week’s Sentry Tournament of Champions and though this week’s field was not quite as illustrious, the quality of golf and the resulting entertainment was just as high. The tough conditions all week also served as a poignant reminder of just how good these guys are.

The win was Smith’s first individual PGA Tour win. Behind Smith and Steele was Webb Simpson (-10) in solo third and Graeme McDowell, Kevin Kisner, and Ryan Palmer T4 (-9).

Cameron Smith’s impressive performance did more than just boost his own status, as he pledged to donate $500 for each birdie and $1000 for each eagle to fire relief efforts in his native Australia.

Collin Morikawa continued to show why he might be the most impressive of all the Tour’s impressive young players. He fired an opening round 65 in brutal conditions that saw him have the solo lead and despite a disappointing final round 72 and T21 finish, showed that he will likely become a weekend fixture for years to come.

Many of the field’s top ranked players failed to cope as well with the tough conditions and a golf course that was playing long and soft for its par of 70. Last week’s champion, Justin Thomas and the man he beat in a playoff, Patrick Reed, both missed the cut (both shot +3). So did past winners Matt Kuchar, Patton Kizzire, and Russell Henley.

Next week, the PGA Tour heads back to the mainland for the newly named The American Express. The tournament has changed names several times in recent memory, but its multiple sites in the Palm Springs desert are unchanged. Players will alternate between Jack Nickalus’ PGA West, Pete Dye’s Stadium Course, and La Quinta CC. Adam Long will defend his first PGA Tour win in a field that also includes Rickie Fowler, Tony Finau, Phil Mickelson, and Matthew Wolff.