2026 Sony Open Free Picks, Predictions and DFS Lineup January 15-18

Sony Open Betting Preview

WagerTalk golf handicapper Andy Lang offers his thoughts on the Sony Open teeing off from Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, HI. Andy discusses his DraftKings Darlings, golfers to who can trip you up, the course and more surrounding the Sony Open starting January 15!

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Sony Open Challenge	Sony Open Betting Notes
When:	January 15-18
Where:	Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, HI
Defending Champ:	Nick Taylor
Current Favorite:	Russell Henley (+1100 at DraftKings)
TV:	ESPN+ and Golf Channel

Sony Open Course: Waialae Country Club

The 2026 Sony Open returns to Waialae Country Club in  Honolulu, a classic par-70 layout around 7,000 yards that  often allows PGA Tour players to score when conditions cooperate.

The course features narrow fairways and small  greens, but its shorter length and flat terrain create plenty of birdie chances for players who keep the ball in play and dial in their iron shots. 

This week, rain is expected to soften both the fairways and  greens, making approach shots more receptive and reducing  rollout off the tee.

However, winds around 20 mph will add a real challenge, especially on exposed holes where ball flight  control becomes critical.

The softer conditions should help  players hold greens, but the wind will demand patience and smart club selection.

Expect a mix of low scores and grinding  pars, with the winner likely being the player who best balances  aggression with wind management.

Total Strokes Gained Last 6 Months

Sony Open: Players That Can Trip You Up

Collin Morikawa is getting far too much respect in the market right now. He’s losing a brutal -0.62 strokes putting over the last six months, one of the worst marks in this field, and that’s a non-starter on a course where you have to convert birdie  chances.

Since March, he has just one Top 10 finish, yet he’s priced as the 5th-highest favorite to win. The ball striking name value is still there, but the results and the putter are not. At this  number, it’s an easy no. 

Robert MacIntyre checks some boxes statistically, sitting Top  20 in total strokes gained, but this course has consistently given him problems. He’s finished 52nd and 53rd here the last two years, showing very little comfort with the layout.

The bigger concern is his approach play, which hasn’t been strong over the  last 12 months—an issue at a course where iron play is a key separator.

When course history and a core stat both point the wrong way, that’s a clear warning sign. He’s a fade for us this week. 

Hideki Matsuyama is being priced as a Top 3 favorite, but the recent resume doesn’t justify it. Outside of his win here in 2022, he’s managed just one Top 10 finish at this event in his entire career.

Since winning the Hero World Challenge in December, his only other Top 10 came at The Sentry on January 5— nothing since.

That’s a long stretch of mediocre results for  someone sitting near the top of the odds board. At this number, you’re paying for past peaks, not current form, and that makes him a fade this week.

Sony Open: DraftKings Darlings

John Parry ($7,200) is an interesting value play thanks to  recent competitive reps on the DP World Tour. He stayed active in December and posted finishes of 5th, 7th, and 18th, which is exactly the kind of sharpness you want coming into a weaker field event.

He also played three big PGA Tour events last year  and improved in each start. Putting is the clear weak spot, but his accuracy off the tee should set him up for quality approach chances. That profile gives him a realistic path to making the  cut. 

Adam Svensson ($6,700) has had ugly putting numbers over the last 12 months, but it oddly hasn’t mattered at this venue.

He’s made the cut in all five of his appearances here, including back to-back 30th-place finishes. Course comfort clearly plays a role, and he’s shown he can survive this layout even without a hot putter. At this price, past success here carries real DFS value. 

Zac Blair ($6,800) brings motivation and solid recent ball striking into the week. He’s made the cut the last two times he’s  played here, and his tee-to-green and approach numbers have been strong lately.

Around-the-green play remains a concern, but he’s been grinding in lower-tier PGA events and just  competed at PGA Tour Q-School.

Needing strong finishes to  secure full-time status, Blair should be fully engaged—and that  urgency matters in this field.

Full Lineup: Adam Avensson 6700, Zac Blair 6800, John Parry  7200, Harry Hall 9100, Keegan Bradley 9300, Russell Henley 10,300

One and Done: 

Keegan Bradley 

Favorite Top Finish: 

Harry Hall Top 40 -185 

Outright:

Brian Harman 45-1

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