The Sony Open in Hawaii officially tees off the 2026 FedExCup Regular Season, setting the tone for a new PGA TOUR campaign and providing the first opportunity for players to position themselves early in the standings. As one of the TOUR’s longest-running events, the Sony Open once again features a strong field blending elite stars, proven winners, and a deep class of new members.
Strong Field Headlined by World-Class Talent
This year’s field includes 20 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, led by World No. 5 Russell Henley, No. 6 J.J. Spaun, No. 7 Robert MacIntyre, No. 8 Ben Griffin, No. 14 Keegan Bradley, No. 16 Hideki Matsuyama, and No. 17 Collin Morikawa.
Fourteen players in the field qualified for the 2025 TOUR Championship, including Henley, Corey Conners, Keegan Bradley, Chris Gotterup, Ben Griffin, Brian Harman, Harry Hall, Robert MacIntyre, Collin Morikawa, Nick Taylor, Maverick McNealy, J.J. Spaun, Jacob Bridgeman, and Hideki Matsuyama.
The field also features four FedExCup Fall winners from 2025: Steven Fisk (Sanderson Farms Championship), Michael Brennan (Bank of Utah Championship), Ben Griffin (World Wide Technology Championship), and Adam Schenk (Butterfield Bermuda Championship).
Former Champions and FedExCup Winners Return
Seven former Sony Open champions are in the field, led by 2022 winner Hideki Matsuyama, the winningest Asian player in PGA TOUR history with 11 career victories. He is joined by past champions Vijay Singh (2005), Zach Johnson (2009), Russell Henley (2013), Patton Kizzire (2018), Si Woo Kim (2023), and defending champion Nick Taylor (2025).
The tournament also welcomes three past FedExCup champions: Vijay Singh (2008), Billy Horschel (2014), and Jordan Spieth (2015).
Spotlight on New Members
The 2026 PGA TOUR season introduces a new member class of 22 rookies and two first-year members. Of those 24 players, 22 are competing this week at the Sony Open, representing pathways from the Korn Ferry Tour, DP World Tour, and PGA TOUR Q-School.
Notable newcomers include Korn Ferry Tour graduates such as Zach Bauchou, Chandler Blanchet, Christo Lamprecht, and Neal Shipley, along with DP World Tour standouts Dan Brown, Haotong Li, Keita Nakajima, and Jordan Smith. First-year members Haotong Li and Neal Shipley are not classified as official rookies due to prior TOUR starts.
Aon Swing 5 Begins in Hawaii
As the first event of the season, the Sony Open marks the opening opportunity for players to earn FedExCup points toward the Aon Swing 5. The top five non-exempt players in FedExCup points earned across the Sony Open in Hawaii, The American Express, Farmers Insurance Open, and WM Phoenix Open will qualify for entry into the next two Signature Events: the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational.
2026 PGA TOUR Season Overview
The 2026 FedExCup Regular Season consists of 34 events, including the 52nd playing of THE PLAYERS Championship, all four major championships, and eight Signature Events. The FedExCup Playoffs will once again feature the top 70 players advancing to the FedEx St. Jude Championship in Memphis, followed by the BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, and the TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
Following the TOUR Championship, the FedExCup Fall returns with an eight-event schedule that plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for the 2027 PGA TOUR Season. The fall calendar is highlighted by the 16th edition of the Presidents Cup, set for September 24–27 at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.
Key Competition Changes for 2026
Several notable changes take effect in 2026. Exempt status now extends to the top 100 players in the final FedExCup Fall standings, down from 125. Field sizes for Full-Field Events have been reduced to a maximum of 144 players, with some events limited to 120 or 132 players to improve pace of play. THE PLAYERS Championship will feature a 120-player field.
Open qualifying has also been adjusted, with no qualifying spots for 120-player fields, two spots for 132-player fields, and four spots retained for 144-player events. Additionally, the number of Korn Ferry Tour cards has been reduced from 30 to 20, while DP World Tour and Q-School allocations have been refined.
A New Season Begins
With elite talent, returning champions, and a strong rookie presence, the Sony Open in Hawaii launches the 2026 PGA TOUR season with momentum and intrigue. As FedExCup points, Signature Event berths, and long-term status are already at stake, the week in Hawaii sets the stage for a highly competitive year ahead on the PGA TOUR.
The Barn 