01/15/26 06:25:00
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01/15 18:20 CST Defending champion Nick Taylor tied for Sony Open lead
Defending champion Nick Taylor tied for Sony Open lead
HONOLULU (AP) --- Defending champion Nick Taylor was sharp with his irons and
handled the par 3s at Waialae Country Club for an 8-under 62, giving him an
early share of the lead Thursday with Kevin Roy as the PGA Tour season started
at the Sony Open.
This is the latest start to the tour season because The Sentry at Kapalua on
Maui was canceled due to water issues. The Sony attracted a strong field, with
four of the top 10 in the world.
Taylor, who won last year in a playoff, made birdie on three of the par 3s and
his best shot was to the top shelf on the difficult par-3 fourth, leaving a
25-footer he narrowly missed.
The Canadian was pleased, though not surprised with his game despite this being
the first event of the year. He played just enough in the offseason to stay
sharp and still get rest, playing only in Mexico and then the Nedbank Challenge
in South Africa.
Roy had seven birdies in 11 holes at the start, and the finished with a birdie
on the par-5 18th.
Ben Griffin, coming off a three-win season and a Ryder Cup debut, and Scottish
Open champion Chris Gotterup were among those at 63.
Robert MacIntyre of Scotland and Adam Scott were at 67. Scott's tee shot on the
par-5 ninth to end his round hit the net lining the driving range and settled
in the mesh at the bottom, inches outside the out-of-bounds stakes. He had to
go back to the tee, hit 6-iron to 4 feet and saved par.
Scott was coming from Australia and figured Waialae, one of his favorite
courses, was on the way to California for his next two starts. There's also a
feeling this might be the last Sony Open as the tour revamps its entire
schedule.
Jordan Spieth, Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley and Hideki Matsuyama were among
those playing in the afternoon.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
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