Nick Taylor, the Canadian golfer from Abbotsford, B.C., is gearing up to defend his title at the Sony Open in Hawaii. The event will take place at the iconic Waiʻalae Country Club starting Thursday. Taylor’s impressive history at this venue includes finishing in the top 11 for the past four years, highlighting his strong familiarity with the course.
Nick Taylor’s Impressive Track Record
Having won the Sony Open last year, Taylor is confident as he returns to a course where he has thrived. With only one round above 70 in his last 20 at Waiʻalae, he feels well-prepared for the competition. “I see the lines really well on the greens,” Taylor mentioned. His experience in various wind conditions has also contributed to his comfort level.
Previous Achievement and Competition
In the previous year’s Sony Open, Taylor claimed victory against Colombia’s Nico Echavarria in a playoff, solidifying this as his fifth PGA Tour title. He describes that day as a challenging grind, stating he only followed the leaderboard later in the round.
Playing Partners and the Competitive Field
For the first two rounds of this year’s tournament, Taylor will be paired with England’s Aaron Rai and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre. Other notable competitors include:
- Corey Conners from Listowel, Ont.
- Taylor Pendrith from Richmond Hill, Ont.
- Adam Svensson from Surrey, B.C.
- A.J. Ewart from Coquitlam, B.C.
- Sudarshan Yellamaraju from Mississauga, Ont.
Conners achieved the highest ranking among Canadians on the PGA Tour in 2025, finishing 17th in the FedEx Cup standings.
Goals and Aspirations
As he prepares for the tournament, Taylor expresses a desire to emulate Conners’ consistency on the tour. He admires the trophies that come with success but is focused on maintaining a competitive edge throughout the season.
New Faces on the PGA Tour
A.J. Ewart and Sudarshan Yellamaraju will be competing in their first event as full-time members of the PGA Tour. Their presence adds excitement to this year’s Sony Open.
Korn Ferry Tour Update
In related news, Roger Sloan from Merritt, B.C. finished second at The Bahamas Golf Classic, three strokes behind the leader. Vancouver’s Stuart Macdonald placed tied for 28th, while Ben Silverman from Thornhill, Ont. finished in 51st place.
This comprehensive overview highlights the anticipation surrounding the Sony Open as Taylor aims to defend his title at Waiʻalae, a course where he has demonstrated considerable skill and confidence.
