Sony Open at Waialae CC now a PGA Tour Champions event
Hawaii’s iconic Sony Open moves to the senior circuit in 2026, reshaping the early-year golf calendar with a January date at Waialae Country Club.
Hawaii’s iconic Sony Open moves to the senior circuit in 2026, reshaping the early-year golf calendar with a January date at Waialae Country Club.
The Sony Open at Waialae Country Club will become a PGA Tour Champions event in 2026, running January 14–16 and concluding on a Saturday. The tournament’s move to the senior tour marks the first time Waialae Country Club—a 7,076-yard, par-70 layout in Honolulu—hosts a Champions event. The 2026 edition replaces the traditional PGA Tour stop, which had been held annually since 1965.
Dates are fixed for mid-January, aligning with Hawaii’s peak tourism season and offering a unique winter showcase for senior stars. Waialae’s membership approved the transition after months of negotiations, citing the Champions Tour’s growing viewership and sponsorship appeal. The club retains title sponsorship from Sony, ensuring continuity in branding while tapping into a broader demographic of golf fans.
Tournament officials confirmed the 2026 field will feature 78 players, down from the PGA Tour’s 156-man lineup, with a stronger emphasis on past champions and legends. ’ Local organizers emphasized the economic upside, projecting a 20% increase in visitor spending tied to the event’s new senior-circuit cachet. That projected 20% surge in visitor spending isn't just wishful thinking; it reflects a targeted demographic shift.
Senior golf fans typically stay longer and spend more on hospitality than the transient PGA Tour crowds. By shrinking the field to 78 players, Waialae creates an intimate, high-value experience that appeals directly to high-net-worth retirees and corporate sponsors looking for exclusive access in a premium winter destination. Strategically, this move positions Hawaii as the linchpin for a potential Pacific Rim expansion of the Champions Tour.
With the PGA Tour focusing on global markets, the senior circuit can capitalize on the void, using Waialae as a logistical bridge between the US mainland and emerging Asian markets. This isn't just a one-off schedule change; it's a calculated gamble to turn Hawaii into a year-round golf hub rather than a seasonal stopover. What's next: Waialae Country Club will finalize tournament operations by mid-2025, including sponsor activations and player commitments.
The PGA Tour Champions schedule for 2026 will officially debut the Sony Open as its Hawaii anchor, with potential expansion to other senior events in the Pacific region. The shift also signals a strategic pivot for Hawaii’s golf calendar, freeing the PGA Tour’s early‑season slot for other tournaments and allowing the state to capitalize on the Champions Tour’s growing fan base. By hosting a senior event, Waialae positions itself as a year‑round destination for seasoned pros, potentially attracting repeat visitors and boosting local hospitality revenues.
In the long term, the Sony Open’s transition could pave the way for additional senior tournaments in the Pacific, creating a regional circuit that leverages Hawaii’s climate and tourism infrastructure. The move may also inspire other courses to explore senior‑tour partnerships, expanding opportunities for veteran players and diversifying the sport’s appeal across demographics. Read at ESPN
The Sony Open’s pivot to PGA Tour Champions in 2026 injects fresh energy into Hawaii’s golf calendar while giving the senior tour a marquee winter stop. For Waialae, it’s a strategic bet on a growing audience and lucrative sponsorships. For players, the shift means a shorter, sharper field competing on one of golf’s most demanding tracks. Fans gain a new winter showcase featuring legends under Hawaii’s sun—proving that tradition and evolution can coexist.
ESPNespn.com1 Jul, 20:52en
The 48-year-old’s 7-under 64 keeps him one shot behind co-leaders Lucas Glover and Zac Blair at TPC Deere Run.
Catch the PGA Tour action at TPC Deere Run with our full broadcast and streaming guide.
Your complete guide to watching the PGA Tour’s Fourth of July stop from TPC Deere Run, with times, platforms, and coverage depth.
The 2013 Open champion says today’s athletes are swinging too fast for the current club specs—so he’s calling for a smaller, less forgiving driver head to restore balance before courses become museum pieces.
© 2026 Pineido. All rights reserved.
A dramatic final putt secures her first U.S. Women's Open title and second straight major.
Prosecutors can now examine the golfer's health data following his March arrest as the legal battle intensifies.
Catch the PGA Tour action at TPC Deere Run with our full broadcast and streaming guide.
The Jersey J Cup show lost its marquee match when Tiger Mask IV couldn’t clear customs; both stars now set for July 7 retirement spectacle.
A 90-minute rain delay at the Travelers Championship forced the network to preempt Sunday Night Baseball, highlighting a live TV dilemma.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler blisters TPC River Highlands with a 10-under 60 to grab a two-stroke advantage after 36 holes.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler’s second-round 62 at TPC River Highlands leaves him one shot short of golf’s rarest number—and everyone else playing catch-up.
Star power vs. rule enforcement: Rory McIlroy’s 2026 PGA Tour status is clouded by vague penalties and loopholes.
Your complete guide to watching the PGA Tour’s Fourth of July stop from TPC Deere Run, with times, platforms, and coverage depth.
Two-time winner Rahm tees up in Ireland again, bringing firepower to a links showdown already stacked with McIlroy and Lowry.
Nelly Korda survives a perilous Sunday at Olympic Club to win back-to-back majors, cementing her status as the face of women's golf.
Bryson DeChambeau says YouTube and selected events could anchor his future if LIV Golf disappears.
The 48-year-old’s 7-under 64 keeps him one shot behind co-leaders Lucas Glover and Zac Blair at TPC Deere Run.
Prosecutors can now examine the golfer's health data following his March arrest as the legal battle intensifies.
Catch the PGA Tour action at TPC Deere Run with our full broadcast and streaming guide.
The Jersey J Cup show lost its marquee match when Tiger Mask IV couldn’t clear customs; both stars now set for July 7 retirement spectacle.
The 2026 NBA free agency window opens with LeBron James and other stars set to reshape the league’s landscape.
Kane's stoppage-time double salvaged a win, but Tuchel's system looks broken in Atlanta.
A veteran welterweight clash between Neil Magny and Ramiz Brahimaj headlines UFC 330 at Wells Fargo Center, delivering a marquee August card for Philadelphia fans.
Seattle’s five-game losing streak meets Phoenix’s playoff push as Loyd’s scoring surge tests the Mercury’s resilience in the desert.
A straight-sets dismantling of Tsitsipas shows the Serb still plays like a man half his age—and savors every Centre Court moment.
Atlanta’s 12-7 record and league-best road mark meet Washington’s .500 struggles in a midseason showdown where Citron’s scoring surge collides with Mystics’ defensive fragility.
