2025 Sony Open Best Bets Elevated Style
Trying to get back in the "swing" of content production here, and that should include a Best Bets section each week. Elevated Bets, we'll call it.
Please keep in mind, I'm not a gambling expert. I do research, and come up with an opinion. I'll lay out facts why I think this person, or people is going to play well. And that's that.
Let's get the year started with the 2025 Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, HI. Seth Raynor design built in 1927. I get the feeling of an older course in the northeast U.S. with tricky greens, but fairly flat, not super long. This is the first full field event for the 2025 year on the PGA Tour.
Let's make some picks
Taylor Pendrith - This guy has been on a roll, quietly. His worst finish dating back to last June, is T22 over 7 events. Hard to find someone on tour (aside from Scheffler or Schauffele) who have played more consistently. This course doesn't really scream, "bombers paradise" as I think we put Pendrith in with the bombers group. But he's in good form, coming off a T13 at the Sentry, which netted a cool $410,000.
I like his momentum here, and he finished T10 at the Sony last year, so he has good vibes at the course. Made 18 cuts in 25 starts last year, and the startling figure is that when he made the cut, he finished in the top 25, 15 out of 18 times. Wow.
Russell Henley - I mean, come on. This dude loves this place. He's an assassin at this golf course. Seemingly built for him, Russell plays Waialae like butter plays toast (Biggie reference).
First off, Russ rarely misses cuts these days. So he's always around. And his iron play is so strong, around a place like Waialae, he has a good shot at being in contention.
Let's take a look at his recent finishes at the Sony.
2024 - T4
2023 - T32
2022 - 2nd
2021 - T11