Davis Riley has taken a commanding two-shot lead heading into the final round of the PGA Tour’s season-opening Sony Open, held at the breezy Waialae Country Club in Hawaii.
In a performance marked by resilience, Riley managed to birdie four out of the last seven holes on Saturday, finishing with a commendable 3-under par 67. With his total score now at 12-under 198, he has established a solid cushion over his closest competitors: Harry Hall, who carded a 66; Chris Gotterup, who shot 68; and Kevin Roy, finishing with a 69.
"In these challenging conditions, making gritty pars is essential, and you have to capitalize on opportunities to sink putts on these fast greens while dealing with tricky crosswinds," Riley explained.
The 29-year-old golfer showcased his skill by bouncing back from a bogey on the par-3 11th hole, quickly regaining his momentum with a birdie on the par-4 12th. His sharp approach on the par-4 14th left him just 2 feet from the hole, and he followed that up with a successful 15-foot putt on the par-4 15th. However, it was on the par-5 18th where he faced a slight challenge, sending his long 60-foot putt 7.5 feet past the hole before sinking the return.
"I really started feeling confident with my swing and was able to keep my shots aligned with the wind," Riley remarked. "In these windy situations, it’s crucial to hit your target lines and manage the curvature of your shots. I felt I executed some very solid hold shots against the wind while keeping my aim precise."
Currently ranked No. 101 in the world, Riley's notable achievements include winning the Charles Schwab Challenge in 2024, marking his first individual title on the PGA Tour, as well as teaming up with Nick Hardy to clinch victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in 2023.
Riley did start off slowly on Saturday, encountering bogeys on the first and third holes. "I could feel a bit of tension in my game, likely because we've just come out of the offseason," he admitted. "I hadn’t experienced competitive play in a couple of months, so I felt like I was trying too hard at the beginning, aiming for perfection and consequently feeling a bit tense."
Meanwhile, Harry Hall made a comeback after a bogey on the 15th with a birdie on the 16th. The English golfer secured his only PGA Tour title in a playoff during the 2024 ISCO Championship. "I focused on hitting the ball where I intended and did a much better job judging the wind throughout the course," Hall stated. "I was also more successful with my putting today."
Chris Gotterup finished his round with a solid 10-foot birdie putt on the 18th. He previously won the OneFlight Myrtle Beach Classic in 2024 and the Genesis Scottish Open in 2025. "Putting was undoubtedly the toughest aspect today," Gotterup commented. "While striking shots in this wind is challenging for everyone, the later part of the day can make the greens even trickier due to foot traffic. Navigating a left-to-right putt with 25 mph winds is no easy feat."
Kevin Roy, still seeking his first win on the Tour, shared the lead after the first round alongside defending champion Nick Taylor and was part of a five-way tie at the top on Friday with Riley, Taylor, S.H. Kim, and Adrien Dumont de Chassart.
The Canadian golfer Nick Taylor struggled on the back nine, finishing with a 70, which places him three strokes behind the leader alongside Ryan Gerard and John Parry, both of whom recorded scores of 68 and 69, respectively. "I fought hard and gave myself a chance for tomorrow, which is all one can ask for," Taylor remarked.
Corey Conners, another Canadian competitor, shot a 65 to reach 8-under overall. "I thrive in windy conditions here; they really emphasize the importance of ball-striking and controlling your shots," Conners stated, expressing satisfaction with his performance.
Jordan Spieth also made a late push, birdieing the 18th hole to finish with a score of 68, bringing his total to 6-under. Hideki Matsuyama matched Spieth’s score after firing a 65, having previously won at Waialae in a playoff in 2022. Additionally, Vijay Singh, at 62 years old, recorded a solid 68 to reach 4-under. The Hall of Famer is utilizing a one-time career money exemption to participate in full-field events, marking his 25th appearance in this tournament, which he won back in 2005.
