At the Sony Open in Hawaii, Carl Yuan finds himself in a prominent position, leading the tournament after the second round. The 26-year-old Chinese golfer is relishing the opportunity to start his PGA Tour season in the beautiful island setting. However, Yuan's presence in Hawaii is thanks in part to Jon Rahm's decision to join the Saudi LIV Golf league, resulting in his suspension from the tour and subsequent removal from the FedEx Cup standings.
Yuan narrowly missed out on securing his card for the upcoming season, finishing at No. 126 in the FedEx Cup rankings last November, just one point away. He had prepared to regain his card through Q-school when Rahm's departure altered his fate. With Rahm's removal, Yuan moved up to No. 125, securing his full card and a spot in the Sony Open. Taking full advantage of this second chance, he displayed a stellar performance with a 5-under 65 on Friday, ending his round with a two-putt birdie to take the early lead.
Expressing his excitement, Yuan shared, 'I was very thrilled. It gives me another chance to improve and get better.' Sitting at 9-under 131, he currently leads the tournament by one shot over Stewart Cink, a 50-year-old veteran whose Hawaii swing includes the upcoming PGA Tour Champions opener on the Big Island. Also just one shot behind are Cam Davis and Ben Griffin, who initially started the tournament on an impressive note but faced setbacks during the second round.
As the winds calmed down, allowing for more amenable conditions compared to the blustery first round, other players had the opportunity to catch up and potentially challenge Yuan's lead by the end of the day. Keith Mitchell, holing a remarkable 45-foot eagle putt on the par-5 ninth, concluded his round with a 64, joining the large group at 8-under 132.
For Yuan, the rookie year on the PGA Tour was challenging, but he managed to salvage his standing in the fall. Having finished the regular season at No. 151, he fought hard during the last three months to keep himself in contention. Unfortunately, his hopes were dashed when Ryan Moore surpassed him in the final event.
Preparing to compete in Q-school, Yuan had even played a practice round at the esteemed TPC Sawgrass. However, fate had other plans as news of Rahm's suspension reached him that same night, granting him a spot in the Sony Open with full status. Reflecting on the turn of events, Yuan revealed, 'Before I learned the news, I was really trying to get myself ready and come out and play good in Hawaii and on the West Coast and try to earn myself back on tour. Luckily I got full status, but I’m still trying to do the same thing and come out here and play the best I can.'
In contrast, Cink, who recently turned 50 and started dividing his time between the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Champions, has a different approach. He plans to participate in around two dozen events this year, balancing both tours. Although he won't be present at the highly lucrative $20 million signature events, he may opt for the PGA Tour Champions when it provides the best opportunity.
Cink's performance in the opening rounds suggests a seamless transition between the tours. With a bogey-free 65 following his 67 from the previous round, Cink appears determined to perform at his best. Joining him two shots off the lead are players like Keegan Bradley and Harris English, who are eager to remain in contention as the tournament progresses.
The Sony Open at Waialae promises an exciting weekend filled with competitive golf. As the tournament unfolds, the leaderboard will undoubtedly fluctuate, allowing for potential comebacks and unexpected shifts in rankings. Golf enthusiasts and fans will be eagerly watching as the drama unfolds on the picturesque courses of Hawaii.
