Key Fantasy Stats Waialae

Sony Open in Hawaii

January 12th – 15th, 2017

Waialae C.C.

Honolulu, HI

Par: 70 / Yardage: 7,044

Purse: $6 million

with $1,044,000 to the winner

Defending Champion:
Fabian Gomez

by Sal Johnson

Founder, Chief Data Officer, GOLFstats

E-mail me at:
sal@golfstats.com

This is based on the most important stats for Waialae, based on data from last years Sony Open in Hawaii, and using data from all the players in the field for with stats from 2016 and 2017. What we do is take there rank for each stat and average that number between players rank in ’15 & ’16
The scoring average of the field at Waialae in 2016 was 68.50, so with par being 70 that means the average score was just over a shot and a half under per round, making Waialae the 6th easiest course to score on in 2016. It’s also important to see how the weather played a factor, it was perfect each day with winds at 5 to 10 mph. In looking at the long range forecast it’s going to be the same, perfect, dry days with winds between 4 – 9 mph. With that low score will happen again.

In looking at the stats for Waialae last year, driving accuracy hits you. Last year, Waialae had the 12th hardest fairways to hit on the PGA Tour, with the lack of rain the usual high rough was sparse so you can see how Fabian Gomez won even though he ranked T-60th in driving accuracy. But in strokes gained tee-to-green he was 7th along with being 2nd in strokes gained approach-the-green. Still even with the dryness of the fairways and the lack of wind, you have to hit it straight. Now Gomez was T-7th in greens hit. In looking at the winners at Waialae, greens hit seem to be something that all the winners have in common. Since 2002, 13 of the 15 were in the top-ten while six of the 13 were in the top-three.

Lastly because of the lack of wind making Waialae a layup, you better make a lot of birdies. Last year 1,770 were made more than any course on the PGA Tour.

So here is our four choices for the most important stats from players to do well at Waialae:

*Driving Accuracy: Important because the rough in the fairways are close to U.S. Open length and if you drive it into the rough, it’s tough. On the tour in 2015 Waialae was 12th hardest, if you hit it into the rough you will have problems.

*Strokes Gained tee-to-green: You need to hit it long and straight along with hitting lot’s of greens. So this is important to find a player that will do this

*Greens in Regulation: This is a stat that shows who it’s the most greens in regulation. Last year Waialae ranked T-31st in greens hit

*Birdies made: In 2016 1,770 birdies were made, the most of any course on the PGA Tour. So to keep pace with all you need to make a lot of birdies

Below is the average of positions on stats from 2016 & ’17 PGA Tour statistics

Click any column title in the table header to sort columns.