Chris Gotterup surged to the top of the Sony Open leaderboard at 10 under par on Friday. Davis Riley trails one shot back at 9 under. The second round delivered dramatic momentum shifts at Waialae Country Club.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Leader: Chris Gotterup at 10 under par after 36 holes
- Chaser: Davis Riley sits 1 shot back at 9 under with new putter
- Breakthrough: Gotterup’s first double-digit lead in career Sony Open appearance
- Tournament: 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu
Gotterup Breaks Through with Dominant Round
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Chris Gotterup birdied three of his first five holes Friday to seize control. The Scottish Open winner reached 10 under with 10 birdies and just one bogey through two rounds. He moved to solo first place after Ben Griffin, Chris Gotterup, John VanDerLann and S.H. Kim shared second overnight. Gotterup’s move to Florida this offseason paid immediate dividends. “I made a move this offseason down to Florida for hopefully reasons like this,” he explained earlier this week. His 310-yard driving average powered the assault on Waialae.
The 22-year-old right-hander bullied the course into submission with power and precision. TGL competition in recent weeks sharpened his competitive edge. His 8 birdies and 1 bogey in round one positioned him perfectly for this push. Gotterup remains seeking his third PGA Tour win and could claim his first victory at this storied event.
Riley Closes Fast with Hot Putter
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Davis Riley matched Gotterup’s intensity with a blazing second-round 64. The Memphis golfer made six birdies over his final 14 holes to reach 9 under. His new Scotty Cameron putter, introduced just a week and a half before the season, proved instrumental. “I found a little bit this offseason my ball was launching a little bit high,” Riley said. The different face gets the ball rolling quicker, creating tighter lines to the hole.
Riley credits his recent putting surge to this equipment switch. “It felt really good in my hands and feels really good on the greens, and it’s just matching my eye really well,” he noted. His hot streak moved him into solo lead briefly before Gotterup’s push reclaimed top spot. Riley trails by just one shot with two rounds remaining.
Logjam at the Top Intensifies at Waialae
Four golfers sit tied for second at 9 under par. Besides Riley, S.H. Kim, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, and Kevin Roy remain in striking distance. Nick Taylor, the defending champion, shares T1 position after his opening 8 under 62 but dropped down the board. Ben Griffin opened with a 63 and sits one back. The compressed leaderboard suggests a wide-open final 36 holes at this 7,044-yard course.
| Position | Player | Score |
| Solo 1st | Chris Gotterup | -10 |
| T2nd | Davis Riley, S.H. Kim, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Kevin Roy | -9 |
| T6th | Ben Griffin, John VanDerLann | -8 |
“I’ve actually got a new putter. This is my first week using it. It was one I changed into actually about a week and a half ago, so kind of a last-minute switch before we got the season started. It felt really good in my hands and feels really good on the greens, and it’s just matching my eye really well.”
— Davis Riley, PGA Tour golfer
Vijay Singh Makes Historic Cut Bid at 62
62-year-old Vijay Singh remains in position to make the cut at 2 under par. The three-time major champion used his one-time career money list exemption to compete on the PGA Tour in 2026. He posted rounds of 68 and 70 through two days. The projected cut line sits at 1 under par, putting Singh right on the precipice. His comeback story captures headlines as he pursues making the weekend against the field’s younger competition.
Wind picked up Friday afternoon, making scoring considerably tougher than the serene morning conditions. Morning starters enjoyed calm breezes and favorable positioning. Singh and other afternoon players faced stiffer challenges. If he holds on, Singh will become a feel-good story in a tournament seeking fresh narratives.
What Does the Final 36 Holes Hold at the Sony Open?
Gotterup’s lead feels fragile with four players within one shot. Riley’s momentum suggests he could seize control Saturday. Weather conditions and wind patterns favor early starters again. The compressed leaderboard means any hot streak launches a golfer into contention. Nick Taylor, the defending champion, remains dangerous despite earlier struggles. What happens in the final round could determine tournament history. Will Gotterup hold firm, or will Riley’s putter propel him to victory at this 61st edition of the tournament?
Sources
- Golfweek – Live leaderboard updates and player interviews from Sony Open Round 2
- PGA Tour – Official leaderboard, scoring updates, and tournament statistics
- CBS Sports – Detailed coverage of Round 1 leader analysis and player profiles
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.