Editor's Note: This is a guest post from PoolGenius, whose picks and tools have helped pool players win sports pools more than three times as often as expected for over a decade.
The Sony Open kicks off the first full-field event of the 2025 PGA Tour season on Thursday, offering One and Done pool players a chance to gain early momentum.
With a total purse of $8.7 million and a $1.566 million payout for the winner, it falls in the lower tier of tournaments for prize money. This makes it a key event for strategizing and carefully managing the future value of your picks.
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2025 Sony Open Picks: Field Highlights
The 2025 Sony Open features 144 players with a mix of rising stars, mid-tier talent, and experienced veterans.
While several elite golfers are absent, the tournament presents a prime opportunity for players outside the top ranks to contend. Here’s a closer look at this year’s field to help guide your Sony Open picks:
Field Depth at the Sony Open
Although the Sony Open doesn’t feature the same superstar lineup as Signature Events, the field still boasts 17 players ranked in the Top 50 of Strokes Gained power ratings.
- Notable Mid-Tier Players: Established competitors like Si Woo Kim, Keegan Bradley, and Byeong-Hun An bring significant experience to the event, making them key players to consider for your Sony Open picks.
- Rising Stars: Emerging talents such as Tom Kim and Taylor Pendrith have high-upside potential for pool contest players. Their value in tournaments like this makes them interesting options for your Sony Open One and Done picks.
Returning Champions at the Sony Open
This year’s field features four former Sony Open winners, each bringing familiarity with Waialae Country Club’s unique challenges. These past champions offer a proven history to consider while making your Sony Open picks:
- Si Woo Kim (2023): Known for his fearless approach and ability to perform at a high level consistently.
- Hideki Matsuyama (2022): In excellent recent form, he is a consistent player whose precision makes him well-suited for Waialae’s demands.
- Patton Kizzire (2018): A streaky player capable of breakout performances when his game clicks.
- Russell Henley (2013): A steady competitor who thrives on courses that reward accuracy.
Top Contenders in the Sony Open Field
Three players in the Top 15 of our season rankings are in the mix this week and will likely make for popular Sony Open Picks:
- Hideki Matsuyama: The 2022 Sony Open champion and last week’s winner at the Sentry Tournament, Matsuyama remains one of the PGA Tour’s most consistent performers. His precision-oriented game aligns well with Waialae’s emphasis on strategy and accuracy.
- Corey Conners: A standout ball-striker, Conners brings consistency and strong form to the event. According to pick popularity data, he was last year’s most popular One and Done pick at the Sony Open.
- Russell Henley: With a proven record at Waialae, including his 2013 victory, Henley excels on courses that prioritize accuracy and strategic play.
All three players rank near the top of the odds board for the week, making them likely considerations for Sony Open picks in One and Done pools.
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Projected Most Popular One and Done Picks for the Sony Open
Understanding player popularity can be valuable for making your Sony Open picks in One and Done pools. While Conners topped the popularity charts at last year’s Sony Open, this year’s field suggests a more distributed selection pattern.
Here’s how projected pick popularity shapes up:
- Corey Conners: 15%+
- Russell Henley: 8-14%
- Maverick McNealy: 8-14%
- Byeong-Hun An: 8-14%
- Keegan Bradley: 8-14%
- Hideki Matsuyama: 4-7%
- Taylor Pendrith: 4-7%
While these players are expected to draw a lot of attention, it’s important to weigh their future value in higher-purse events. For example, Conners, Henley, and Matsuyama may be better suited for use in Signature Events later in the season, given their strong potential for higher payouts.
However, a player like Taylor Pendrith could be a solid choice for your Sony Open picks, depending on your pool’s format and the number of picks required.
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Understanding 2025 Golfer Status and Future Value
Strategizing for your Sony Open picks calls for a clear understanding of each golfer’s current status and potential participation in future events. Here are the key categories to consider:
Top 50 FedEx Points Players
Players in the Top 50 of last year’s FedEx Cup standings, such as Matsuyama, Henley, and Sahith Theegala, automatically qualify for all 2025 Signature Events. While they occasionally participate in smaller tournaments like the Sony Open, their primary focus is on high-purse competitions, making them valuable assets for later in the season.
Non-Top 50 Players
Golfers outside the Top 50 of the FedEx Cup standings have opportunities to qualify for Signature Events through performance-based pathways. These players often target events like the Sony Open to establish themselves and secure invitations to higher-profile tournaments.
Here are the two primary ways they can earn entry into Signature Events:
- Aon Next 10: This ranking recognizes the next-best players just outside the Top 50 based on their points standings. Strong finishes across eligible events can help these players qualify for Signature Events, making their performance in tournaments like the Sony Open a critical factor in climbing the rankings.
- Aon Swing Five: A mini-series of smaller tournaments where top performers earn direct qualification to Signature Events. Success in these events can be huge for players outside the Top 50, providing opportunities to advance their standing.
When making your Sony Open picks, it’s critical to consider how these players fit into your long-term strategy.
Understanding which golfers are likely to compete in future tournaments or have pathways to higher-purse events helps you make informed decisions about when to utilize their potential. This makes sure you maximize the value for both the current tournament and the overall season.
Maximize Your Strategy with PoolGenius Golf One and Done Picks
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Here’s how PoolGenius gives you a winning edge:
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