HONOLULU — Patrick Fishburn capitalized on an early surge, while Denny McCarthy managed to regroup after a slow beginning on Friday, both players finding themselves tied for the lead at the Sony Open as they head into an anticipated competitive weekend at Waialae.
Fishburn initiated his round strongly with three consecutive birdies on the back nine and later chipped in another birdie on the fifth hole, wrapping up his day with a total of 5-under 65. Meanwhile, McCarthy experienced difficulties with a couple of shorter par putts early in his game. However, after sinking a 25-foot birdie on the fifth hole, he found his rhythm and finished with a score of 66. Known for his exceptional putting skills, McCarthy notably missed an 8-foot attempt for birdie on the final hole.
Both players reached a total of 10-under 130, just ahead of Kensei Hirata, who shot 63, and Eric Cole, who finished his round with a 67. Cole had a chance to tie for the lead but unfortunately missed a short 4-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th hole.
Another contender is 36-year-old rookie Paul Peterson, who previously played on five different tours globally before securing his PGA Tour card this year. Completing his round on the par-5 ninth hole, Peterson managed to two-putt for birdie and ended with a score of 67 as the sun began to set.
The cut line was drawn at 3-under 137, and notably, 15 players who had competed at The Sentry tournament in Maui last week, a prestigious event featuring top players and a prize fund of $20 million, did not make the cut. This list included prominent names like Billy Horschel, Chris Kirk, and Austin Eckroat.
McCarthy was unconcerned about the short putts he missed earlier. He acknowledged that playing in the afternoon may have influenced the course’s conditions and that he made up for those missed chances with a few long putts.
Fishburn, a 32-year-old from Utah, is in his second year on the tour after a successful fall season that secured his card for 2025. In his rookie year, he finished just outside the top 100 on the FedEx Cup standings. This is his second attempt at the Sony Open; last time, he was unable to compete due to the high demand for spots in the tournament during rookie orientation. “It felt great to board the plane knowing I would have a tee time this time around,” he reflected.
One aspect remains clear: the record-setting score of 35 under, achieved by Hideki Matsuyama at Kapalua just last week, is safe. The contrasting courses of Hawaii create diverse challenges for players—Kapalua is a mountain course, while Waialae is a coastal venue with tighter fairways and doglegs. McCarthy agreed, stating, “This course is definitely tougher. It’s unlikely someone will finish 35-under here.”
As the weekend approaches, the leading five golfers have yet to claim a victory on the PGA Tour, which adds an intriguing layer of competition, considering an invitation to the Masters is up for grabs. With 25 players within four strokes of the lead and a full 36 holes to play, anything can happen.
Among those two strokes off the lead are notable figures from the last Ryder Cup, including Sepp Straka of Austria and U.S. captain Zach Johnson. Johnson, celebrating his upcoming 49th birthday next month, made an impressive eagle from the third fairway using a 9-iron and finished with a front nine of 31, concluding his play with a score of 66.
Matsuyama, sitting at 4 under with a round of 69, is still in the competition to be the third player ever to win both tournaments in Hawaii during the same year, a feat last accomplished by Justin Thomas in 2017. Johnson, first joining the PGA Tour at the 2004 Sony Open, now finds himself needing an exemption to play, marking a significant shift in his career path as he continues to navigate his way back into the field.
Gary Woodland, standing at 6-under 134, brought an inspiring story to the tournament, having returned to the game after undergoing brain surgery to address issues that had led him to fear for his life. Feeling more in control and patient on the course, he expressed excitement about his progress and the positive signs emerging in his game as he continues to adapt.
In summary, with the context set for a competitive weekend, all eyes will be on the players as they vie for victory in the unique setting of the Sony Open. The diverse challenges of the courses and the lure of potential Masters invitations only add to the excitement leading into the final rounds.
