HONOLULU - Yes, most of the football-loving American fans were watching the NFL wild card playoffs, but the final round of the SONY Open provided just as much action and intrigue.
Si Woo Kim started the day three strokes back but shot 6-under (64) to post an 18-under score and a one-stroke victory over 54-hole leader Hayden Buckley.
The decisive moments of the tournament came after Buckley made a 16-footer for birdie on No. 16 for a one-stroke lead. Kim chipped in for birdie on the 17th hole to tie and birdied the par-5 18th to take the clubhouse lead. Buckley missed a 11’ 9” putt on No. 18 for a chance to force a playoff and Kim took the 2023 SONY Open title and $1,420,000.
Buckley finished as runner-up with his best result on Tour. Previously, his T-4 at the 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship was his best effort.
Two-time Sony Open in Hawaii runner-up (2014, 2021) Chris Kirk finished third at 15-under, his best result of the season.
SONY Open in Hawaii | Final Leaderboard
Si Woo Kim 67-67-64-64 – 262 (-18)
Hayden Buckley 67-64-64-68 – 263 (-17)
Chris Kirk 64-65-68-68 – 265 (-15)
Andrew Putnam 70-66-62-68 – 266 (-14)
David Lipsky 65-66-66-69 – 266 (-14)
Ben Taylor 66-66-65-69 – 266 (-14)
Full Leaderboard: (link)
PGA Tour Brunch will post at Noon (ET) on Wednesday with a preview for AMEX.
What They’re Saying
Si Woo Kim’s Come From Behind Victory (PGATourCom)
What They Made at $ONY Open (Golf Week/USA Today)
First Look at The American Express (PGATourCom)
Golf and Sports Industry News
No Phil, but The American Express Moves Forward (GolfWeek/USA Today)
Adam Scott Admits to Reason he’s Skipping Phoenix Open (Golf Week/USA Today)
What was in Si Woo Kim’s Golf Bag (PGATourCom)
On This Day in Golf History
January 16, 1980 - Sam Snead, Bob Goalby, Don January, Julius Boros, Dan Sides and Gardner Dickenson held a meeting to lay the groundwork for the creation of The Champions Tour.
Parting Putt
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