Davis Riley Takes Control at Windy Waialae, Sets Stage for Sunday Showdown at Sony Open
The wind hasn’t let up in Honolulu, and neither has Davis Riley.
Through three rounds at the 2026 Sony Open, Riley has separated himself from a crowded leaderboard thanks to a steady hand, a hot putter, and a Saturday 67 that was as much about grit as it was about finesse. Now sitting at 12-under, Riley holds a two-shot lead heading into Sunday at Waialae Country Club, and he’s got a chance to close out what would be the third win of his PGA Tour career.
The story of Riley’s week has been his putting - and Saturday was no different. He gained 2.614 strokes on the field with the flat stick in Round 3, continuing his run as the top putter in the field through 54 holes.
But what really bodes well for his chances on Sunday? For the first time all week, Riley also gained strokes both off the tee and on approach.
That’s the kind of well-rounded game you want to see from a 54-hole leader trying to slam the door.
The Chase Is On
But don’t pencil in Riley just yet - there’s a hungry pack right behind him.
Harry Hall made a big move on Saturday with a 4-under 66, one of the best rounds of the day. He’s now just one shot back and has shown he’s not afraid to go low, even in tough conditions.
Chris Gotterup matched Riley’s 68 and remains two off the lead. After a strong close to 2025, Gotterup’s early 2026 form is backing up the belief that he’s more than just a flash in the pan.
Kevin Roy, also at 10-under, has been quietly steady all week. He’s hovered near the top since Thursday and hasn’t shown signs of fading. If he keeps this up, he’ll be in the mix down the stretch.
And then there’s Nick Taylor. The defending champ had a stumble on the back nine that cost him the lead for the first time all week, but he bounced back with a birdie to close out his round and sits just three shots back. If anyone knows how to win at Waialae, it’s Taylor - and he’s not out of this.
Saturday’s Standouts
Corey Conners and Hideki Matsuyama reminded everyone why they’re two of the most respected ball-strikers in the game. Both carded 5-under 65s - the low rounds of the day - and climbed their way into contention.
In these swirling winds, that kind of precision is no small feat. They’re now just four shots back and very much in striking distance if they can replicate that form on Sunday.
Jordan Spieth, meanwhile, has quietly put together three straight rounds of 68. That kind of consistency isn’t always his calling card, but it’s been working for him this week. He’s six shots back, but with his ability to go on a tear, a top-10 finish - or better - isn’t out of the question.
Leaderboard Snapshot After Round 3
Leader:
- Davis Riley (-12) - The putter has been lights-out, and now the rest of his game is catching up. If he keeps this balance on Sunday, he’ll be tough to chase down.
Chasing Pack:
- **T2.
Harry Hall, Chris Gotterup, Kevin Roy (-10)** - Hall’s Saturday 66 was one of the day’s best. Gotterup continues to ride momentum from late 2025.
Roy’s been steady and unshaken.
- T5. Ryan Gerard, John Parry, Nick Taylor (-9) - Taylor’s title defense is still alive. Gerard and Parry are lurking just outside the final group.
- T8. Corey Conners, Adam Svensson, Patrick Rodgers (-8) - Conners’ 65 was a statement. He’s one of the few who looked completely at ease in the wind.
- T11. Si Woo Kim, S.H. Kim (-7) - Both Kims are within five shots, and with the conditions playing tough, that’s close enough to make noise.
- T13. Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, Robert MacIntyre and three others (-6) - Matsuyama’s round was clinical.
Spieth’s been methodical. Both have the pedigree to make a Sunday charge.
What to Watch on Sunday
With 19 players within five shots of the lead, this isn’t going to be a coronation - it’s shaping up to be a dogfight. The wind has been a factor all week, and if it kicks up again on Sunday, it could turn Waialae into a chessboard.
Smart, patient play will be key, but so will timely aggression. Players like Gotterup and Hall have the firepower to go low, while veterans like Conners and Matsuyama know how to navigate the pressure.
And then there’s Riley. He’s in the driver’s seat, but Sunday leads on the PGA Tour are never easy. If his putter stays hot and his ball-striking holds up under the weight of the moment, we could be looking at a wire-to-wire finish.
But with this many contenders, buckle up - the final round of the 2026 Sony Open is set to deliver fireworks.