Competitors at the 2026 Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawai’i, faced yet another day of blustery weather during the third round. As the tournament heads into its final 18 holes, Davis Riley has secured sole possession of the top spot at Waialae Country Club. After concluding the second round in a four-way tie for first, Riley navigated a challenging afternoon to post a 3-under 67, outperforming his fellow front-runners and establishing a two-stroke advantage over the competition.
Following his impressive second round, Riley had highlighted his exceptional putting as a major factor in his performance, a trend that persisted on Saturday. He delivered another outstanding display with his putter, gaining an additional 2.614 strokes against the field on the greens during the third round. His prowess with the short stick places him at the top for strokes gained putting throughout the event, and maintaining this form on Sunday could very well pave the way for his third professional triumph.
Hot on Riley’s heels on the scoreboard are Harry Hall and Chris Gotterup. Hall distinguished himself with one of the most effective rounds of the day, carding a 4-under 66 to reach 10-under par, positioning himself just a single stroke off the lead heading into the final day. Gotterup mirrored Riley’s 68, ensuring he remained in contention, building on the strong finish to his 2025 campaign as he kicks off his 2026 season, solidifying that his recent ascent is no mere coincidence.
Corey Conners and Hideki Matsuyama delivered the standout performances of the day. These highly-rated competitors, renowned for their exceptional ball-striking, navigated the demanding weather conditions more skillfully than anyone else, each recording a remarkable 5-under 65 to significantly advance their standings.
As the tournament progresses to its climax, a total of nine golfers are separated by three strokes or less from the leader, with an expansive group of nineteen players falling within a five-shot margin. This configuration promises a compelling final round, where numerous participants will undoubtedly believe they possess a genuine opportunity to claim the inaugural PGA Tour championship of the 2026 season.
Leader
1. Davis Riley (-12): While Riley’s exceptional putting has captured attention throughout the competition, his long game appears to be sharpening with each passing day. This development is paramount if he aims to transform his 54-hole advantage into a tournament win. On Saturday, Riley achieved a significant milestone, marking his first round of the week where he gained strokes both from the tee and on approach shots, an aspect of his play that will need to remain steadfast alongside his putting amidst the pressures of the concluding round.
Contenders
T2. Harry Hall, Chris Gotterup, Kevin Roy (-10)
T5. Ryan Gerard, John Parry, Nick Taylor (-9)
T8. Corey Conners, Adam Svensson, Patrick Rodgers (-8)
T11. Si Woo Kim, S.H. Kim (-7)
T13. Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, Robert MacIntyre and three others (-6)
A substantial contingent of challengers exists, prominent among them are Hall and Gotterup. However, Kevin Roy has maintained a position near the summit of the standings since the opening day and has offered no hint that his performance will wane on Sunday. Nick Taylor, the reigning champion, experienced a brief setback on his back nine that saw him relinquish the lead for the first time this week, yet a birdie on his final hole ensured he remained within striking distance. He undoubtedly poses a considerable threat to secure consecutive victories at Waialae.
For the remaining prominent players within the top 20, a truly extraordinary effort will likely be necessary to clinch the title, though individuals such as Conners and Matsuyama proved their capacity for such feats on Saturday. Jordan Spieth has displayed an uncharacteristic level of consistency this week, an attribute not typically associated with his game, yet three successive rounds of 68 have propelled him into contention for at least a top-10 finish in what marks his initial appearance of a profoundly significant season.
2026 Sony Open updated picks, odds
Betting odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
- Davis Riley (23/10)
- Harry Hall (47/10)
- Chris Gotterup (5-1)
- Nick Taylor (10-1)
- Kevin Roy (11-1)
- Ryan Gerard (11-1)
- John Parry (14-1)
- Corey Conners (16-1)
A crucial birdie from Riley on the final hole cemented his position as the distinct favorite heading into Sunday’s ultimate round. Among the trailing competitors, Gotterup and Roy present compelling options. Gotterup demonstrated his capability to secure victories in the previous year and excels in windy conditions. Roy has exhibited consistently strong play throughout the entire week, and being only two strokes behind with 11-1 odds, he represents a valuable wager should he sustain the caliber of his performance from the initial 54 holes.
