Perfect storm in gorgeous weather for low scores at Waialae
HONOLULU (AP) — The way Justin Thomas is playing the Sony Open, someone might have to shoot 59 to catch him on Sunday.
The way Waialae Country Club is playing, someone could.
Jordan Spieth thought he might see a double dose of history in Honolulu. He was playing with Thomas in the opening round and threw a left-handed fist pump to celebrate his best friend’s 15-foot eagle putt on the final hole for a 59. Two days later, Spieth was on the putting green when he raced over to the edge of the ninth green in time to see Kevin Kisner line up a 9-foot eagle putt he needed to make for a 59.
Was watching one 59 not enough for him?
Spieth smiled and kept his eyes trained on Kisner, whose attempt at the ninth sub-60 round in PGA Tour history slid by on the right. Spieth walked over and bumped fists with Kisner as he walked into the scoring trailer to sign his card.
A round of 60 is still a pretty good day.
Isn’t it?
Zach Johnson, who went into the final round seven shots behind Thomas, shot a 61 on Friday and no one blinked. It’s been that kind of week at Waialae, where players have been cautious to describe the ease of the golf course without taking away from anything Thomas — and then Kisner — have done.
This is only the second time in PGA Tour history that a course has yielded a 59 and a 60 in the same tournament. The other was the John Deere Classic in 2010, and both scores were on the same, rain-softened day at the TPC Deere Run. Steve Stricker opened with a 60, and Paul Goydos was one better.
What’s rare about this week is that the two scores were three days apart.
Waialae, a par 70 that features two par 5s that close out each nine, will never be mistaken for a U.S. Open venue. It’s…