The Sony Open in Hawaii is shaping up for a thrilling weekend finish, with Patrick Fishburn and Denny McCarthy locked in a tight battle atop a crowded leaderboard at the midway point. The duo sits at 10-under par through 36 holes at Waialae Country Club, one stroke clear of a trio of chasers that includes Paul Peterson, a 36-year-old PGA Tour rookie.
McCarthy, one of the most gifted putters on Tour, needed a back-nine rally to catch Fishburn after an inauspicious start. The 29-year-old canned a slew of mid-range putts down the stretch, including a crucial 25-footer for birdie at the 5th hole. Fishburn, meanwhile, rode a hot putter of his own to a bogey-free 65, closing his round with a birdie at the last to tie McCarthy.
Tight Race Atop Sony Open Leaderboard
With the cut coming at 3-under 137, the stage is set for a wide-open weekend in the first full-field PGA Tour event of 2025. Twenty-five players are within four shots of the lead, including Austrian Sepp Straka and U.S. Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson, who both sit just two back at 8-under. Johnson in particular seems to have rediscovered some vintage form, holing out for eagle and firing a front-nine 31 on Friday.
Big Names Lurking on Crowded Leaderboard
Other notable names in the mix include former U.S. Open champion Gary Woodland, who spoke gratefully of his return to form after battling a brain lesion and seizures throughout 2024. “I feel well,” said Woodland, who is three shots off the pace at 7-under. “I’m on the golf course and in my zone, not searching for it. I haven’t felt this way in a long time.”
“The signs are there. There are still some things to get better at, but it’s exciting.”
Gary Woodland on his resurgent form at the Sony Open
Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama also remains in striking distance at 4-under, though he’ll need to go low on the weekend to have a chance at becoming just the third player to sweep the Hawaii swing in the same year. Justin Thomas was the last to achieve the feat back in 2017.
Masters Invitation on the Line
Beyond the trophy, this week’s winner will also secure a lucrative prize: an invitation to the Masters Tournament in April. That tantalizing carrot is well within reach for the top five on the leaderboard, all of whom are seeking their maiden PGA Tour victories.
- Patrick Fishburn (-10) – Tied for the 36-hole lead
- Denny McCarthy (-10) – Co-leader looking for breakthrough win
- Paul Peterson (-9) – PGA Tour rookie one shot back
- Kensei Hirata (-9) – Surged into contention with Friday 63
- Eric Cole (-9) – Consistent rounds of 67-67 to open
While there are still 36 holes to navigate, the stage is set for a pressure-packed and exciting finish at Waialae. The venerable course may not yield the same birdie barrage we saw last week at Kapalua, but with such a tightly-bunched leaderboard, fireworks are all but guaranteed. Who will rise to the occasion and claim Sony Open glory? Tune in this weekend to find out.
