No Letting Up For Kuchar - (2025)

Matt Kuchar (5/4 Sony Open 2019 Outright) says he is relishing the challenge of playing at Waialae Country Club after taking the halfway lead at the Sony Open.

After opening with a 63, the American matched his score on Friday, carding six birdies, an eagle and just a solitary bogey as he reached 14-under for 36 holes.

That tally is enough to give him a one-stroke lead over Andrew Putnam (10/3 Sony Open 2019 Outright), who added a 62 to his opening 65, while Stewart Cink (18/1) is in a tie for third, four off the pace.

However, it was Kuchar who took the headlines on Friday and clearly feels he has a point to prove after only finishing 76th in last year’s FedEx Cup standings.

He hit back by winning the Mayakoba Golf Classic in November and appears to have the bit between his teeth in Honolulu.

The 40-year-old undoubtedly likes the Hawaiian layout but says he is wary of the danger the course presents, especially for those who miss the fairways.

“To shoot seven-under back-to-back is unexpected, but certainly awfully exciting,” said Kuchar. “I love the golf course. It’s a challenging one, but if you play well you can make birdies; if you don’t you’re going to make bogeys.

“I’ve been on some good form and I felt really good yesterday, although today probably wasn’t quite as clean. I think I hardly missed a fairway yesterday and today missed a handful.

“Boy, the golf course gets tough when you’re playing from the rough. Even if you have short clubs in your hand it’s challenging.”

Odds subject to change