Sony Open R1 Leaderboard: Ben Griffin in early contention for yet another PGA Tour title

Nick Taylor and Kevin Roy surged into a share of the lead after the first round of the Sony Open in Hawaii.

The tournament marks the start of the 2026 PGA Tour season.

Canada's Taylor and America's Roy fired stunning rounds of 8-under 62 to open up an early one-shot lead on the field at Waialae Country Club. 

US Ryder Cupper and three-time PGA Tour winner Ben Griffin is lurking in a tie for third on 7-under alongside last year's Scottish Open champion Chris Gotterup, John VanDerLaan and SH Kim. 

Griffin not only moved into contention for a fourth PGA Tour title on Thursday, but he also spoke about Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour. 

Koepka was reinstated to the circuit this week via a new Returning Membership, several weeks after the five-time major champion quit LIV Golf. 

While a number of players in Hawaii are said to be frustrated with the ease at which Koepka has been able to return, Griffin is certainly all for it. 

“The reason I play professional golf is honestly, at this point in my career, is really to compete against the best players,” said Griffin. 

“I know for me, I’m excited about it. I think it’s a great move by Brian to allow this opportunity and to give him an option to come back and pay some sort of consequence and compete against us.”

“I think there’s probably an alignment with me and a lot of other players out here that really want to compete against the best players. I definitely think Brooks Koepka is one of those guys, especially based on his resume. I’m looking forward to it.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming Brooks. I haven’t got to have any sort of relationship with him yet, but I’m all for it.”

Rickie Fowler echoed those sentiments when speaking about Koepka's return during his TGL appearance on Tuesday night. 

Fowler went even further by claiming Koepka had been wanting to leave LIV Golf for the PGA Tour for a while.

Elswhere after the first 18 the Sony Open, Alex Smalley, Adrien Dumont de Chassart and England's John Parry round out the top 10 on 6-under par.

Further down the board, Jordan Spieth began with a 2-under 68 alongside 62-year-old Vijay Singh, who has taken out his career money exemption this season.