The Sony Open marks the commencement of the PGA Tour golfing season, occurring one week later than usual. Following an extended hiatus after Hideki Matsuyama’s victory at the Hero World Challenge for readers at +1600, the 2026 season officially begins with the Sony Open.
Professional golf analyst Craig Edwards (@EdwardsTips_) brings you his top selections for the 2026 Sony Open, highlighting the most competitive odds available.
Given that players are returning from a break of at least one month and facing a highly competitive field, we recommend that bettors exercise caution and maintain conservative wagering strategies.
The Sony Open: Waialae Country Club Course Notes
- Date: January 15 – 18, 2026
- Location: Waialae Country Club, Hawaii
- Par/Yards: Par 70, 7044 yards
- Designer: Tom Doak 2016
This is an exceptionally short, tree-lined course by the bay. Challenging windy conditions have traditionally made this otherwise easy test more difficult; when fierce winds blow in from the Pacific, scores can rise by an average of three strokes per round.
Can Nico Go One Better Than 2025?
A demonstrated capacity to perform well when fresh is an important criterion this week, and evaluating that alongside course suitability and current form creates a robust profile.
Nico Echavarria meets all these criteria for the event, and with an initial price of +5000, he presents notable value in both outright and top 10 betting markets.
Based on my analysis, his odds should be closer to +3300, which may materialise; therefore, it is advisable to consult Bovada before you place your bets.
The thirty-one-year-old Colombian has shown strong progression on the PGA Tour, finishing last season with a fourth place at the RSM Classic. This week, he aims for his third PGA Tour title, and his proven ability to close out tournaments remains a significant asset.
Nico Echavarria finished as runner-up twelve months ago and has the potential to secure victory in the opening PGA Tour event of 2026.
Golf Pick: Nico Echavarria to Win Sony Open (+5000) at Bovada
Golf Pick: Nico Echavarria to Finish Top 10 (+500) at Bovada
Haotong Li Is a Fast Starter
Over the past thirty years, I have closely followed the golf betting industry and gained significant insight into many leading players. One notable athlete is Haotong Li, an accomplished thirty-year-old Chinese golfer whose consistent ability to start tournaments with impressive opening rounds has yielded favourable outcomes for bettors.
Haotong Li has made several appearances on the PGA Tour, including a noteworthy performance at the 2022 Sony Open, where he secured a commendable 12th-place finish. After concluding the year strongly on the DP World Tour and securing his PGA Tour card, it would not be unexpected for Haotong Li to emerge as this week’s first-round leader in Hawaii.
It is important to recognize that Haotong Li’s achievements extend beyond his early-round prowess; he has claimed four victories on the European Tour. As such, he represents a viable option in both the first-round leader and outright betting markets.
Golf Pick: Haotong Li to Be First Round Leader (+8000) at BetOnline
Golf Pick: Haotong Li to Win the Sony Open (+8000) at BetOnline
Take Props on Zac Blair
At BMR, we have adopted a distinctive approach to player profiling over the past seven seasons, leveraging the comprehensive selection of prop markets available at our trusted sportsbooks.
BetOnline offers a wide array of place markets, which we intend to utilise for a long-term maiden who, while unlikely to secure a win, is highly rated for achieving a strong finish.
Zac Blair has spent the last decade as a journeyman both on and off the tour. Notably, he has demonstrated an impressive record of accomplishment in Hawaii when commencing his first tournament of the season after a period of rest.
As evidence, the thirty-five-year-old achieved 6th place here in 2015 and improved to 3rd the following year, with the additional distinction of never having missed a cut at this event since then.
Golf Pick: Zac Blair Top 10 (+1400) at BetOnline
Golf Pick: Zac Blair Top 20 (+650) at BetOnline
Your Sony Open Betting Gameplan
The Sony Open offers a quirky week on the PGA Tour at a track that course specialists have thrived on over the last two decades. Here is a quick recap of our top recommendations:
- Nico Echavarria: Outright (+5000), Top 10 (+500)
- Haotong Li: First round leader (+8000), Outright (+8000)
- Zac Blair: Top 10 (+1400), Top 20 (+650)
Securing the best odds is essential in golf wagering. Since odds can differ among sportsbooks, it is advisable to establish accounts with multiple trusted books. This approach allows for effective comparison shopping for prices on outright bets and placement propositions, often the difference between an okay week and a profitable one.
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
