Week 2 Approach Shots: Sony Open in Hawaii

text size

The first full-field event of the 2010 PGA TOUR FedExCup Regular Season, the Sony Open in Hawaii, is this week in Honolulu at Waialae Country Club.

In 2009, Zach Johnson took the lead at the 54-hole mark then shot a final-round 65 to hold off Adam Scott, who fired a 64 on Sunday, and David Toms to win the first of two 2009 titles. Johnson later added a victory at the Valero Texas Open, where he successfully defended his 2008 title.

TV/Radio (all times ET)

TV: GOLF CHANNEL (Thur.-Sat., 7-10:30 p.m. ET; Sun., 7-10 p.m. ET) RADIO: PGA TOUR NETWORK - Sirius 209, XM 146, PGATOUR.COM (Thu.-Sat., 5 p.m.-12 a.m.; Sun, 4-12 p.m.)

Weather

Skies will be mostly sunny all weekend. Highs will reach into the low 80s.

Key links

• Video preview | Tee times • Inside the Field | Course

Johnson has won in each of the last three years. His 2008 season was a disappointment by his standards, though, as he finished 131st in the FedExCup standings and only had three top-10 finishes. One of those, however, was his Valero Texas Open title. In 2009, Johnson bounced back in a big way, finishing sixth in the FedExCup and earning a personal-best $4,714,813.

Johnson is trying to become just the fourth player to successfully defend a title at the Sony Open in Hawaii, joining Hubert Green (1978-79), Corey Pavin (1986-87) and Ernie Els (2003-04).

Speaking of Els, the two-time Sony Open winner improved each day at the 2009 tournament. After opening with a 2-over 72, he bounced back with rounds of 69-68-67 to tie for 39th. Els has posted par-or-better scores in 22 of 24 rounds at the Sony Open in Hawaii -- including 21 rounds in the 60s. His 2009 performance finish marked the first time he had finished outside of the top five in six starts at Waialae Country Club He won in 2003 and 2004, finished second in 2005, was third in 2001 and fifth in 2000.

Other favorites in the field include Steve Stricker, who's seeking his first victory at the Sony Open in Hawaii after much success at the event. A year ago, Stricker tied for 23rd, one of seven top-25 finishes in 10 career starts at the event. He has three top-four finishes at the Sony Open in Hawaii, with a solo-third place effort in 1996 and tie-for-fourth finishes in 2007 and 2008. In 38 career rounds, Stricker has failed to produce a score of par or better just five times.

Local favorite Tadd Fujikawa, 19, posted a 3-over 73 during the final round of the 2009 Sony Open in Hawaii to finish his ninth-career start on TOUR in a tie for 32nd. The then-18-year-old recorded the round of the week a year ago with an 8-under 62 during the third round. Fujikawa's career-best finish in 12 starts on TOUR was a tie for 20th as an amateur at the 2007 Sony Open in Hawaii.

Another player to watch for this week is Jerry Kelly. He tied for 23rd in 2009 in what was his 12th career start at the Sony Open in Hawaii. It was the eighth top-25 finish of his career at the event. Kelly has bettered par in 31 of his last 38 rounds at Waialae Country Club.

Columnists' predictions

Each week, PGATOUR.COM columnists will predict the winner. Here are their picks for the Sony Open in Hawaii. Columnist Pick Comment Stan Awtrey CHARLES HOWELL III: He's coming off a mediocre season -- nothing great, nothing horrible -- but has great history in Honolulu. He tied for second in 2007 and went on to have a spectacular season. He's also tied for third and placed fourth on two other occasions at the Sony Open. If there's really such a thing as "horses for courses," look for Howell to be somewhere near the winner's circle on Sunday afternoon. Craig Dolch RORY SABBATINI: The South African will improve on his runner-up finishes the last two even-numbered years at the Sony Open at Hawaii. Melanie Hauser DAVID TOMS: Hard to argue with Toms. In his last five times here, he's won (2006), finished second (last year), tied for fourth (2002) and had two ties for 13th (2005, 2007). Plus, when his game is on, he's hard to beat.

MORE PREDICTIONS: Expert picks | Power Rankings | Play our FREE fantasy game

Bolton's fantasy selections

Fantasy columnist Rob Bolton will provide his Yahoo! picks as a starting point for you every week. Use the advice and opinion from his Power Rankings and Fantasy Insider to assist in determining lineups changes throughout each tournament. Group Starters Bench Group A Zach Johnson Luke Donald Group B Kevin Na, David Toms Robert Allenby, Chad Campbell Group C Jerry Kelly George McNeill

Sign up for our FREE fantasy golf game on Yahoo! Click here

GIVING BACK: In just 11 years, the Sony Open in Hawaii has emerged as a leader in charitable giving in the state. With a significant start of generating $256,000 for 43 charities in 1998, tournament charity proceeds now surpass the $1-million mark annually -- benefiting more than 100 not-for-profit organizations. This year the tournament will support the Blessings in a Backpack initiative along with the TOUR Wives. The event will help bring nutritional weekend foods to local elementary students in the community; approximately 373 children at three schools in Hawaii will benefit.

MAJOR CHAMPIONS: All four major championship winners are in the field, marking the first time since 1978 and only the third in tournament history that the four previous year's major winners are represented at the Sony Open. In 1978, the field included 1977 major winners Tom Watson (Masters and British), Hubert Green (U.S. Open; he went on to win the 1978 Sony Open) and Lanny Wadkins (PGA Championship). In 1972, the field included 1971 major winners Charles Coody (Masters), Lee Trevino (U.S. Open and British) and Jack Nicklaus (PGA Championship). This year's field includes Angel Cabrera (Masters), Lucas Glover (U.S. Open), Stewart Cink (British Open) and Y.E. Yang (PGA Championship).