Wind and Woes at Waialae: Riley, Taylor Lead Tight Sony Open After Challenging Second Round
The 2026 Sony Open presented by Wyndham Rewards took a dramatic turn Friday as gusting winds at Waialae Country Club significantly raised the difficulty, shaking up the leaderboard and sending several notable players packing. After a first round characterized by remarkably low scoring – including a pair of 62s – the course bared its teeth, with a 64 being the best anyone could manage on a day that saw the top contenders tighten and several big names miss the cut.
Riley and Taylor Share the Lead Amidst Tough Conditions
Davis Riley capitalized on a hot putter and improved ball-striking to fire a 6-under 64, surging into a share of the lead at 9-under par. He was matched by first-round co-leader Nick Taylor, who couldn’t replicate his opening-round 62 but remained firmly in contention. Ryan Gerard also made a significant move, matching the day’s low round to climb into the top 10. “Today I putted really well, but I definitely hit the ball a little bit better today,” Riley explained. “It maybe wasn’t even better, I just didn’t have as many crazy shots as yesterday. I had a penalty stroke off the tee yesterday, which really cost me and felt like I lost a lot of momentum there. Overall the ball striking was a little cleaner and continued some of that good putting.”
Morikawa Struggles, Faces Early Exit
On the opposite end of the spectrum, world No. 17 Collin Morikawa faced a disappointing early exit. A 68 on Friday left him at even par for the tournament, just one stroke shy of the cut line. As has often been the case recently, Morikawa’s putter proved to be his undoing, with missed short putts on the back nine, including a crucial 6-footer on the 18th, proving costly. A missed cut in the season opener is a particularly tough blow for Morikawa, who is seeking a return to form after a challenging second half of 2025.
Spieth Navigates the Wind, Others Fall Victim
Jordan Spieth successfully navigated the challenging conditions, carding a second consecutive 68 to comfortably make the cut at 4-under. He highlighted the difficulty of the day, stating, “I hit a 7-iron into that 15th hole. I had maybe 158 [yards] and I think it went 120 yards and I played it like 175.” The wind proved too much for several other notable players, including Keegan Bradley, who also finished at even par and will not be playing the weekend.
Tight Leaderboard Sets Stage for Exciting Weekend
The challenging conditions led to a tightly packed leaderboard, with a host of players still within striking distance. The leaders – Taylor, Riley, S.H. Kim, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, and Kevin Roy – will tee off late Saturday afternoon, hoping to maintain their positions. Taylor is considered the favorite among the group, given his proven track record at Waialae.
Contenders Lurk, Gerard Emerges as a Potential Breakout Star
Just behind the leaders, a group of contenders including Maverick McNealy, Chris Gotterup, John Parry, and Takumi Kanaya sit at 8-under. Ryan Gerard, alongside Vince Whaley and Patrick Rodgers, are a stroke further back. McNealy, Gotterup, and Griffin are all building on successful 2025 campaigns, while Gerard is quickly gaining recognition as a potential breakout star for the 2026 season.
Notable Missed Cuts
The challenging conditions claimed several high-profile victims, including:
- Collin Morikawa (E)
- Keegan Bradley (E)
- Luke Clanton (+1)
- Chris Kirk (+1)
- Cam Davis (+3)
- Gary Woodland (+3)
- Tony Finau (+6)
Updated Odds Favor Taylor, But Value Lies Elsewhere
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Nick Taylor currently leads the betting odds at 11/2. Maverick McNealy is next at 17/2, followed by Chris Gotterup at 11-1. However, analysts suggest that Ben Griffin (17-1), who fired a 63 on Thursday, and Chris Gotterup (11-1), known for his ability to handle windy conditions, may offer better value for those looking to place a wager. The tight leaderboard and unpredictable conditions suggest a wide-open race for the title at the 2026 Sony Open.
