The Sony Open is heating up, and the final round promises a thrilling showdown! The third round delivered a brutal test, with relentless winds gusting up to 21 mph, making the course play tough, averaging +0.14 strokes over par. Wayward shots were heavily penalized by the thick Bermuda rough.
Defending champion Nick Taylor, initially the frontrunner after two rounds, stumbled on the back nine, slightly losing his lead. But don't count him out! This tournament is known for its underdogs, and Davis Riley, starting at a whopping +25000 to win, is now leading thanks to an exceptional putting performance. He's currently leading the field in Strokes Gained: Putting. A win would be huge for Riley, earning him his third PGA TOUR victory and his best finish since his T2 at the 2025 PGA Championship.
But here's where it gets interesting: Sunday's forecast predicts the calmest winds of the week, potentially setting the stage for low scores and a dramatic comeback.
Let's zoom in on a captivating head-to-head match-up: Corey Conners versus Nick Taylor in a 72-hole bet. Taylor holds a narrow one-shot lead over Conners, but the odds are attractive, especially with tie protection. Conners is trending upwards, improving with each round. His putter is getting hotter, gaining strokes on the greens daily. In contrast, Taylor, despite a strong start with a 62 in the first round, has shown some inconsistency since. The bigger concern? Taylor hasn't been as sharp off the tee at Waialae.
And this is the part most people miss: This course punishes those who miss the fairways. Conners' ball-striking has been elite, gaining +3.05 strokes ball-striking this week, the best in the field. If his putter stays hot, he's a serious contender on Sunday.
History also plays a role. Taylor, the defending champ, has a stellar record at Waialae, with a win last year and consistent top finishes. Conners also has a solid history, including a T3 finish in 2019 and back-to-back top-12 finishes in 2022 and 2023. The only thing holding him back in recent years has been his putting.
Now, here's a thought-provoking question: Considering Conners' improved putting and superior ball-striking, do you think the odds favor him to overtake Taylor? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
