Honolulu, Hawaii, United States: The Sony Open will transition to a PGA Tour Champions event starting in 2027. The newly-named Sony Championship Hawaii will be held the week of January 11-16 at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. The tournament will feature a purse of US$3 million.

PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady said: “We are excited to welcome the Sony Championship Hawaii to PGA Tour Champions. Sony has been an incredible PGA Tour partner since 1999, and we are looking forward to beginning this new era with the legends of the game competing on a truly iconic venue in Waialae Country Club.”

Historic Waialae Country Club hosted the PGA Tour’s Sony Open in Hawaii every year since 1965. It has been the setting for some memorable PGA Tour moments, delivering champions such as Jack Nicklaus and Lee Trevino, as well as current Champions Tour stars Ernie Els, Jim Furyk, Vijay Singh, Zach Johnson and KJ Choi. The Sony Championship Hawaii will be the sixth PGA Tour Champions event to be contested on a course that formerly hosted a PGA Tour event.

Over its 28-year partnership with the Sony Open in Hawaii, Sony has contributed more than US$27 million for Hawaii non-profit organisations, benefiting hundreds of local charities that serve vulnerable working families, seniors, under-resourced children, and economically disadvantaged communities.

Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO of Sony Group Corporation, said: “We are delighted to continue Sony’s long-standing commitment to Hawaii and to the meaningful economic, charitable, and community impact that professional golf brings to the region.

“Supporting and giving back to the Hawaii community remains our highest priority. Since 1999, the Sony Open in Hawaii has provided our clients and guests with a unique opportunity to experience the spirit of Hawaii alongside world-class golf competition. As we transition to PGA Tour Champions, we look forward to continuing our commitment to the State of Hawaii, deepening our connection with the people of Hawaii.”

The Sony Championship Hawaii will feature a field of 78 PGA Tour Champions players, with pro-ams on January 12-13 followed by competition rounds from January 14-16. All three rounds will be televised on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA Tour Champions. Internationally, PGA Tour Champions coverage is available in more than 170 countries and territories via 22 media partners.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said: “Welcoming the Sony Championship Hawaii to Waialae is more than hosting a world-class golf event – it’s an opportunity to showcase the spirit of aloha and strengthen the community impact that has uplifted our islands for decades.

“We are proud to see this next chapter unfold and grateful for partners who share our commitment to Hawaii’s people and future. Mahalo to the PGA Tour Champions and Sony Group Corporation leadership for perpetuating professional golf in the Hawaiian Islands.”

Waialae Country Club President Meredith Ching said: “Waialae Country Club is proud to continue its 61-year tradition of hosting championship golf, while beginning a new chapter with the PGA Tour Champions. We look forward to continuing our valued partnership with Sony and building upon a legacy that has showcased Hawaii around the world and generated meaningful local charitable contributions for decades.”

Global sports marketing agency IMG has been appointed as the tournament operator to deliver all aspects of the Sony Championship Hawaii. With experience spanning more than six decades of delivering leading international golf tournaments, the IMG team also runs the PNC Championship on PGA Tour Champions.