Sony Open, Day 1 — Bring on the sun!

Friday, January 14, 2011

Oahu was drenched by a deluge on Wednesday that dropped more than six inches of rain in several places around the island. It forced the postponement of Day 1 of the Sony Open. Fortunately it was gorgeous today — nary a drop in the sky — but the sun's heat with all that moisture still glistening on the trees and grass got us golf fans all sweltering. We wouldn't be anywhere else, though — 144 players, including some of the sport's biggest names. It was definitely the place to be today.

I decided to follow what looked to be a dynamic group: Tour veterans Jim Furyk and Ernie Els, with Hyundai Tournament champ Jonathan Byrd, who won in extra holes last week at Kapalua, Maui. They teed off at 7:40 a.m., which also meant missing out on the larger late-day tournament crowds.

  • Jonathan Byrd drives from No. 10. Byrd, Jim Furyk and Ernie Els started the day on the back nine.
  • Els on No. 10 green.
  • Furyk putts on No. 10.
  • Byrd gets the lay of No. 11.
  • Many of Waialae's fairways are narrow — several players roughed it. Here, Els takes aim.
  • The trio against a palm tree silhouette.
  • Byrd drives.
  • On the No. 14 green. Els birdied this with a second shot that put him about 18 inches from the hole.
  • Furyk drives on No. 15
  • The green at No. 15. With two days of heavy rain in Hawaii, the staff at Waialae did an excellent job of squeegeeing the course.
  • The players in silhouette.
  • Els drives from No. 16.
  • Byrd drives from No. 17. The gallery was silent, but the ocean was roaring on the reef.
  • All three drove to the green on the par-3 No. 17.
  • Furyk drives off No. 18 to close the back nine.
  • Els drives from 18.
  • The green at No. 18, with the Kahala Hotel in the background. They closed the back nine at Byrd (E), Furyk (E) and Els (+1).
  • I left them as Els was drving off No. 1 to start the front nine.


Officials did an impressive job of squeegeeing the fairways and greens of excess water. There was still quite a bit in the rough, where I was walking — my shoes were soaked through after two holes. Els hit an impressive birdie on the par-4 14th after his second shot took him to about 18 inches from the pin. But mostly for the three it was getting ahead on some holes to make up for challenging rough shots on others. They finished the day with Els and Furyk at even par, Byrd at one-under.

  • Jamie Lovemark drives on No. 18 as Dean Wilson and David Duval look on. Wilson is a local favorite: He grew up in Kaneohe.
  • John Daly dazzles in sartorial splendor, his trademark.
  • Daly also dazzles on his drives.
  • Daly, Tim Petrovic and Charles Howell III walk the No. 2 fairway.
  • No. 2 as seen from the green. Turned into a gorgeous day.
  • The trio head down No. 3. They ended with Howell III (-2), Daly (-2) and Petrovic (+1).
  • Heading back to No. 18 to see leader Appleby, I found Joe Affrunti on No. 1 with a pretty awful lie. He shot it cleanly, close to the green.
  • Justin Rose (back facing toward camera), Stuart Appleby (center in gray pants) and Justin Leonard (right) wait to drive from No. 18. At this final hole, Appleby led (-6), with Rose at (-4) and Leonard even.
  • Rose, Appleby and caddies walk by the leaderboard on the No. 18 fairway.
  • Appleby putts after a difficult chip shot. He held his lead, Rose climbed to (-5).
  • The old fashioned leaderboard — love the penmanship.
  • The standings at the end of the first half of Day 1.
  • Appleby's scores, hole by hole.
  • By the end of Day 1, Appleby held on to a one-stroke lead over six others tied for second at (-5).


I broke from this trio at No. 1 to connect with local fave Dean Wilson, who grew up in Kaneohe on Windward Oahu. (He ended the day one-over; he had a nice drive from No. 18.) John Daly's group came up behind Wilson's — great opportunity to watch the longtime, colorful golfer known for non-country-club demeanor... and garb. Daly was teamed with Charles Howell III and Tim Petrovic. I stayed with them onto the front nine, but realized when I saw one of many leaderboards posted around the course that the day's leader was finishing up the back nine.

I caught up with Stuart Appleby just in time for his last hole on No. 18. He and Justin Rose (two shots behind) hit difficult chip shots next to the spectator stands, and pulled them off. Appleby finished at six-under, a one-stroke lead over Rose (he gained a stroke on No. 18 despite the awkward chip) and five others.

  • Props for the 3D products, Sony. We're all about it.
  • Gorgeous 17th green early in the morning, the ocean behind, Koko Head looms in the distance.
  • After two days of heavy rain, the rough at Waialae was laden with water. My shoes were soaked after two holes.
  • Getting there for the first tee times made for lots of elbow room while walking with Jonathan Byrd, Jim Furyk and Ernie Els.
  • Palm trees galore on the course at Waialae Country Club.
  • I love the No. 15 hole: Great mix of pines and palms, with a funny elbow in the fairway.
  • The iconic 16th green, with the
  • The No. 17 green. Turned into a stunning sunny day — big improvement from Wednesday.
  • The back nine is great for its proximity to the ocean. Beautiful views, lovely breeze.
  • Suburban Honolulu rises along Koolau mountain ridgelines in the distance.
  • As of about 10:30 a.m., the crowds started to arrive.
  • This house along No. 1 flew a
  • The beer tent was largely empty. To be fair, it was before noon. It's sure to be packed this weekend.
  • The chipping green. I could watch these guys all day — they're so accurate.
  • Josh Teater (right) and Troy Merritt sign items for fans at the end of their round.
  • Stuart Appleby is interviewed after his best-of-field round.
  • Justin Rose, hot on Appleby's heels all day, is interviewed.
  • The hat lineup. There was all kinds of tournament gear to be had.
  • The putting green — crowded!
  • A fantastic day on the course!


Once noon rolled around the crowds were everywhere at once. Thousands came out — certainly a different pace from the normally tranquil country club. They'll play Round 2 tomorrow, make the cut at 60, then make up for Thursday's lost round by playing 36 holes on Sunday. Full coverage is on the Golf Channel, but if you're on island, go see it live. The beer tents are ready for you.

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