Sony Open leaderboard: Nick Taylor jumps out fast as Vijay Singh turns back the clock at Waialae

The 2026 Sony Open leaderboard tightened early in Honolulu, but the headline after Round 1 is a familiar name at the top—and another familiar name making noise. Defending champion Nick Taylor opened with a sparkling 8-under 62 to share the lead, while 60-something icon Vijay Singh posted a tidy 68 to sit safely inside the cutline as the week heads toward the weekend.

Sony Open leaderboard after Round 1

Early scoring at Waialae Country Club was crisp, with the trade winds down and greens receptive. Taylor’s 62 set the tone, matched by fellow pace-setter Kevin Roy at 8 under. A crowded chase pack lurks within two shots, ensuring plenty of volatility in Round 2.

Selected positions (Round 1 complete unless noted):

• T1 — Nick Taylor, -8 (62)

• T1 — Kevin Roy, -8 (62)

• Within 2 — A cluster of players between -6 and -7

• Projected cut — Hovering around -1 after the opening wave (subject to change)

Live scoring continues to fluctuate as the second round approaches, but the formula is clear: keep the ball in play off the tee, wedge it close, and make hay on Waialae’s par 5s and scorable par 4s.

Vijay Singh at the Sony Open: precision, patience, and a 68

All eyes checked the Sony Open leaderboard for Vijay Singh, and the three-time major winner rewarded the curiosity. Singh signed for 2-under 68, highlighted by a stretch of three straight birdies that showcased vintage touch—flighted wedges pin-high and a confident roll with the putter. Beyond the nostalgia, there’s substance: accuracy into these smaller greens is currency at Waialae, and Singh’s disciplined ball-striking remains a competitive asset.

Key takeaways from Singh’s opener:

• Ball control travels. On a course that rewards lines and trajectories over raw power, Singh’s shot windows still translate.

• Manage the breeze. Flighting approaches under the trade winds allowed him to attack tucked pins without short-siding.

• Stress management. Clean pars on Waialae’s tricky mid-irons kept momentum intact between the birdie bursts.

With a similar template in Round 2, Singh can not only cruise past the cut but position himself for a weekend tee time inside the top third of the field.

What Taylor’s start signals for the rest of the Sony Open in Hawaii

Taylor’s title defense is off to an ideal start. Waialae rarely yields wire-to-wire winners, yet an opening 62 brings practical perks:

• Freedom into Friday. An early cushion allows conservative lines on dangerous pins, especially if afternoon winds freshen.

• Field pressure. With scoring condensed, chasing packs must press on par-4s where misses lead to bogey—a risk/reward tax that can widen gaps.

• FedExCup launchpad. With the season opening here this year, a podium finish sets the tone for the West Coast swing.

For those stalking the lead, wedge proximity and par-3 performance are predictive. Historically, players gaining on approaches from 125-175 yards and playing the par 3s under par across the first two rounds surge on the weekend.

Round 2 tee times and what to watch (Friday)

• Featured watch-points: Morning groups can post numbers before the breeze builds; late starters must stay patient on the turn.

• Vijay Singh tee time: Early afternoon ET alongside established PGA TOUR names, a pairing that should provide steady rhythms and ample birdie looks.

• TV/streaming window: Prime-time coverage Friday evening (ET) continues to deliver the island vibe and late-night leaderboard shuffles for fans in North America; UK viewers get overnight/early-morning action (GMT).

Schedule subject to change.

Sony Open leaderboard storylines to track into the weekend

1. Defending champion factor: Can Taylor convert a low opener into a two-year Waialae masterclass, or will scoring gravity pull him back to the pack?

2. Wind meter: If the trades kick up, expect experienced ball-flighters—and yes, that includes Vijay Singh—to climb while pure bombers fade.

3. Cut-line drama: With scoring bunched and the projected number around the red, late bogeys will eject contenders as quickly as a two-putt birdie can revive them.

4. Par-3 tax: The winners here usually beat the field on the short holes; watch those tee shots and lag-putting under pressure.

The Sony Open leaderboard is already delivering the season’s first plot twists: a defending champion in full flow and a Hall-of-Famer reminding everyone that great golf ages well in the Hawaiian sun. Keep an eye on Singh’s tidy lines and Taylor’s red-figure pace—Waialae’s weekend tends to belong to players who marry patience with precision.