Sony Open: Nick Taylor Wins with Birdie on Second Playoff Hole

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2025 Sony Open Nick Taylor Wins
Nick Taylor poses with Miss Hawaii, Miss Hawaii Teen and the trophy during the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae CC on Jan 12, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Tracy Wilcox for PGA TOUR via Getty Images)

The only similarity between this week’s 2025 Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in East Honolulu on the island of O’ahu and last week’s Sentry Tournament at the Kapalua Resorts Plantation Course in Lahaina on the island of Maui was that they both took place in Hawaii.

The par 70, 7,044 yards Waialae Course was more of a traditional course that favored accuracy more than distance. Its tree lined fairways, gnarly Bermuda roughs, multiple doglegs and strategically placed bunkers required a variety of different club selections and attention to detail on almost every shot.

Heading into final round the leaderboard had 14 players within 3 shots of the lead with J.J. Spaun 13-under (66-66-65) standing alone at the top. Following closely behind were Eric Cole, Patrick Fishburn and Stephan Jaeger at 12-under

2025 Sony Open Nick Taylor Wins
Nick Taylor reacts with caddie Dave Markle on the 18th green in a playoff during the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii 2025 at Waialae CC on Jan 12, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Sarah Stier via Getty Images)

Once again, this year’s 2025 Sony Open final round had to deal with trying to muster up a respectable viewing audience with the NFL Eagles/Packers “Wild Card” game competing for spectators during the same time slot.

With Nick Taylor (65) and Nicolas Echavarria (65), both finishing at 16-under par, they were the leaders in the clubhouse. Spaun and Jaeger, tied at 15-under par, headed down the 18th fairway each needing a birdie to be in a playoff with the early finishers. Neither Spaun nor Jaeger managed to birdie the hole. Taylor and Echavarria heading back to the 18th tee to settle the score.

It took a little longer than expected, but Nick Taylor is the winner of the 2025 Sony Open with a birdie putt on the second playoff hole against Nicolas Echavarria. Although Taylor managed to win the Open with a birdie putt on his third trip to the 18th green today. It was his first trip that produced the real winning shot when he chipped in an eagle on the par 5 18th to move him to 16 under and a tie for first heading into the clubhouse.

2025 Sony Open Nick Taylor Nico Echavarria Playoff
Nico Echavarria and Nick Taylor walk on the 18th hole in a playoff during the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii 2025 at Waialae CC on Jan 12, 2025 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Sarah Stier via Getty Images)

Taylor, who finished with 16-under par (66-68-65-65), earned himself a check for $1.566 million and his name on the Sony Open trophy. This was his fifth career victory, bringing his career earnings to $19,455,566 including today’s winnings. He joined the PGA Tour in 2015.

“It’s a tough day,” said Taylor. “I was 1-over through 7 and not really thinking about winning. Got on a birdie streak there and then I missed two short putts on 15 and 16. To be able to make eagle on 18 to have a chance, I really didn’t.

“I was a little down after the two missed putts. It was just tricky with the wind. Yeah, I’m a bit stunned this worked out this way.”

Runner-up Echavarria (66-67-66-65) picked a check for $948,300.

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