{"id":38057,"date":"2026-01-14T14:39:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-14T19:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/?p=38057"},"modified":"2026-01-14T14:39:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T19:39:09","slug":"2026-sony-open-free-picks-predictions-and-dfs-lineup-january-15-18","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wagertalk.com\/news\/golf\/2026-sony-open-free-picks-predictions-and-dfs-lineup-january-15-18\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Sony Open Free Picks, Predictions and DFS Lineup January 15-18"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sony Open Betting Preview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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

Stay on top of the latest Golf<\/a> updates direct from Las Vegas!<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

WagerTalk also offers Free Picks<\/a> all year long!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sony Open Challenge<\/th>Sony Open Betting Notes<\/th><\/tr>
When:<\/td>January 15-18<\/td><\/tr>
Where:<\/td>Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, HI<\/td><\/tr>
Defending Champ:<\/td>Nick Taylor<\/td><\/tr>
Current Favorite:<\/td>Russell Henley (+1100 at DraftKings<\/a>)<\/td><\/tr>
TV:<\/td>ESPN+ and Golf Channel<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Sony Open Course: Waialae Country Club<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 Sony Open <\/strong>returns to Waialae Country Club <\/strong>in\u00a0 Honolulu, a classic par-70 layout around 7,000 yards <\/strong>that\u00a0 often allows PGA Tour players to score when conditions\u00a0cooperate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The course features narrow fairways and small\u00a0 greens, but its shorter length and flat terrain create plenty of\u00a0birdie chances for players who keep the ball in play and dial in their iron shots.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week, rain is expected to soften both the fairways and\u00a0 greens<\/strong>, making approach shots more receptive and reducing\u00a0 rollout off the tee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, winds around 20 mph <\/strong>will add a real challenge, especially on exposed holes where ball flight\u00a0 control becomes critical. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The softer conditions should help\u00a0 players hold greens, but the wind will demand patience and\u00a0smart club selection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expect a mix of low scores and grinding\u00a0 pars, with the winner likely being the player who best balances\u00a0 aggression with wind management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Total Strokes Gained Last 6 Months<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Ben Griffin \u2013 2.14 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Russell Henley \u2013 2.09 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

J.J. Spaun \u2013 1.93 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robert MacIntyre \u2013 1.56 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kurt Kitayama \u2013 1.43 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Kirk \u2013 1.42 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harry Hall \u2013 1.41 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maverick McNealy \u2013 1.29<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hideki Matsuyama \u2013 1.26 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Si Woo Kim \u2013 1.18 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chris Gotterup \u2013 1.18 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matt McCarty \u2013 1.14 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kristoffer Reitan \u2013 1.13 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keegan Bradley \u2013 1.07 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nico Echavarria \u2013 1.03 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mac Meissner \u2013 1.02 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chandler Blanchet \u2013 1.02 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

William Mouw \u2013 1.01 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taylor Pendrith \u2013 0.97\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brian Harman \u2013 0.96\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Sony Open: Players That Can Trip You Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Collin Morikawa <\/strong>is getting far too much respect in the market\u00a0right now. He\u2019s losing a brutal -0.62 strokes putting over the\u00a0last six months<\/strong>, one of the worst marks in this field, and that\u2019s a\u00a0non-starter on a course where you have to convert birdie\u00a0 chances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since March, he has just one Top 10 finish<\/strong>, yet he\u2019s priced as the 5th-highest favorite <\/strong>to win. The ball striking name\u00a0value is still there, but the results and the putter are not. At this\u00a0 number, it\u2019s an easy no.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robert MacIntyre <\/strong>checks some boxes statistically, sitting Top\u00a0 20 in total strokes gained, but this course has consistently given\u00a0him problems. He\u2019s finished 52nd and 53rd here the last two years, showing very little comfort with the layout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bigger\u00a0concern is his approach play, which hasn\u2019t been strong over the\u00a0 last 12 months\u2014an issue at a course where iron play is a key\u00a0separator. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When course history and a core stat both point the\u00a0wrong way, that\u2019s a clear warning sign. He\u2019s a fade for us this\u00a0week.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hideki Matsuyama <\/strong>is being priced as a Top 3 favorite, but the\u00a0recent resume doesn\u2019t justify it. Outside of his win here in 2022,\u00a0he\u2019s managed just one Top 10 finish at this event in his entire\u00a0career. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since winning the Hero World Challenge in December,\u00a0his only other Top 10 came at The Sentry on January 5\u2014 nothing since. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s a long stretch of mediocre results for\u00a0 someone sitting near the top of the odds board. At this number,\u00a0you\u2019re paying for past peaks, not current form, and that makes\u00a0him a fade this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sony Open: DraftKings Darlings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

John Parry ($7,200) <\/strong>is an interesting value play thanks to\u00a0 recent competitive reps on the DP World Tour. He stayed active\u00a0in December and posted finishes of 5th, 7th, and 18th, which is\u00a0exactly the kind of sharpness you want coming into a weaker field event. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also played three big PGA Tour events last year\u00a0 and improved in each start. Putting is the clear weak spot, but\u00a0his accuracy off the tee should set him up for quality approach\u00a0chances. That profile gives him a realistic path to making the\u00a0 cut.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adam Svensson ($6,700) <\/strong>has had ugly putting numbers over the\u00a0last 12 months, but it oddly hasn\u2019t mattered at this venue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He\u2019s\u00a0made the cut in all five of his appearances here, including back to-back 30th-place finishes. Course comfort clearly plays a role,\u00a0and he\u2019s shown he can survive this layout even without a hot\u00a0putter. At this price, past success here carries real DFS value.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zac Blair ($6,800) <\/strong>brings motivation and solid recent ball striking into the week. He\u2019s made the cut the last two times he\u2019s\u00a0 played here, and his tee-to-green and approach numbers have been strong lately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Around-the-green play remains a concern,\u00a0but he\u2019s been grinding in lower-tier PGA events and just\u00a0 competed at PGA Tour Q-School. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Needing strong finishes to\u00a0 secure full-time status, Blair should be fully engaged\u2014and that\u00a0 urgency matters in this field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Full Lineup: Adam Avensson 6700, Zac Blair 6800, John Parry\u00a0 7200, Harry Hall 9100, Keegan Bradley 9300, Russell Henley\u00a010,300<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One and Done:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keegan Bradley <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite Top Finish:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Harry Hall Top 40 -185 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outright: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brian Harman 45-1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Looking for more free sports picks and sports betting tips?<\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n