Sony
Open on Oahu Kicks Off 2006 PGA Tour
Professional
golf is theatre on the green. Oahu is fortunate to host the first full-field PGA
event of the New Year attracting some the top names in the sport. Whether
you’re a visitor or a kama‘aina
spectator, at $10 per day — with two free days — the Sony Open in Hawaii is
quite possibly it is the best local outdoor entertainment value — apart from
Sunset on the Beach.
The Sony
Open in Hawaii 2006, set to be played Jan. 9 through 15, is the launch of the
PGA Tour Aloha Season and features more than 140 internationally-renowned golf
professionals competing for the $918,000 champion’s prize of the overall $5.1
million purse. Played at the par-70, 7,060-yard Waialae Country Club golf course
in Kahala, the 2006 event marks the 41st consecutive year of PGA TOUR play at
the ocean-side golf venue marking one of the longest runs in tour history.
The Sony
Open in Hawaii 2006 features a field of internationally famed members of the PGA
TOUR. Event regulars include defending champion Vijay Singh, and other top
ranked players like Ernie Els, Retief Goosen, and Stewart Cink.
The Official
Sony Open in Hawaii Pro-Am is all day Wed., Jan. 11; Thurs. through Sun., Jan.
12 through 15, four rounds of professional tournament competition is televised
live by ESPN.
Defending
champion Vijay Singh of Fiji came into last year’s competition ranked number
one in the world after winning nine tournaments and earning more than $10
million during the 2004 season. Singh shot a 5-under par 65 final round and a
four-round total of 11 under par 269 to win the 2005 Sony Open in Hawaii.
Sixteen-year-old
Oahu women’s golf phenom Michelle Wie created worldwide buzz at the tournament
by playing in the competition on a sponsor’s exemption in both the 2004 and
2005 events. She is expected to participate again this year after turning
professional only a few months ago.
Friends of
Hawaii Charities has distributed more than $5 million in grants as charity host.
Charity partner The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc. has matched
tournament proceeds annually.
Admission is
free Monday and Tuesday, and only $10 per person daily Wednesday through Sunday
if purchased in advance at all First Hawaiian Bank Oahu locations. Tickets
purchased at the gate are $15 per person daily. Season badges are $50 and good
for admission throughout the week.
For more information, contact the
Sony Open in Hawaii headquarters, 808-523-7888, visit
www.sonyopeninhawaii.com.