The PGA Tour and Sony announced that a new professional golf event, the Sony Championship Hawaii, is coming to Honolulu next year.
The previously held Sony Open is transitioning from a PGA Tour event after 61 years to a PGA Tour Champions tournament. The Sony Championship Hawaii will be played January 11-16 at Waialae Country Club for a purse of $3 million.
“We are excited to welcome the Sony Championship Hawaii to PGA Tour Champions,” said PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady. “Sony has been an incredible PGA Tour partner since 1999, and we are looking forward to beginning this new era with the legends of the game competing on a truly iconic venue in Waialae Country Club.”
The Sony Championship Hawaii becomes just the sixth PGA Tour Champions event to be played on a former PGA Tour course. Dating to 1965, Waialae has been the home of Hawaii’s PGA Tour stop, and current Champions pros Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh, Zach Johnson and K.J. Choi are expected to return to Waialae as past Sony Open winners.
“Welcoming the Sony Championship Hawaii to Waialae is more than hosting a world class golf event — it’s an opportunity to showcase the spirit of aloha and strengthen the community impact that has uplifted our islands for decades,” said Hawaii Governor Josh Green. “We are proud to see this next chapter unfold and grateful for partners who share our commitment to Hawaii’s people and future.”
Since its partnership began with the PGA Tour’s Hawaii event in 1999, Sony has donated over $27 million to various nonprofits throughout to the Aloha State. The company said it is looking forward to continuing to support Hawaii through the new PGA Tour Champions event.
“We relish the opportunity to create new opportunities to deepen the connection between the tournament, our business community, and the people of Hawaii,” said Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO of Sony Group Corporation. “Most importantly, this event has always been about giving back. Supporting Hawaii’s charitable organizations remains our highest priority, and we are proud of the positive impact the tournament has made across the islands over the years.”