Defending champ Hideki Matsuyama and Jordan Spieth headline Sony Open entries

A host of PGA Tour superstars have committed to the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club next week including defending champion Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth and Tom Kim.

Matsuyama dramatically beat Russell Henley in a playoff to win his eighth PGA Tour trophy in 2022, having made up a five-shot deficit on the back nine to level KJ Choi's record tally of wins for an Asian-born player on the circuit.

Hitting into blinding sunshine, Matsuyama made an incredible eagle on the first playoff hole as Henley struggled in the sudden death showdown.

The 30-year-old is competing in the Sentry Tournament of Champions this week in the first leg of the Tour's short trip to Hawaii in January. As are Spieth and Kim.

Commitments to the Sony Open in Hawaii (January 12-15) include defending champion Hideki Matsuyama, 13-time PGA TOUR winner Jordan Spieth and World No. 15 Tom Kim.



Field: pic.twitter.com/m9WoKfgymZ

— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) January 6, 2023

Spieth has made four appearances at the Sony Open in his career, missing the cut twice and notably coming third in 2017, the same year he won The Open at Royal Birkdale.

Kim is also continuing his season, having enjoyed some turkey at Spieth's family home at Christmas, with the event in Honolulu. The 20-year-old is making his debut at the second Tour event of 2023.

All in all, 19 of the 39 players at Kapalua will tee it up at the Sony Open. Sungjae Im, Adam Scott, Corey Conners, Billy Horschel and Webb Simpson are also in the field.

The Sony Open begins a run of four tournaments without Elevated status in the revamped schedule which will feature 13 Elevated Events as well as the showpiece major championships.

After the conclusion of the action at the Plantation Course on Sunday, the next Elevated tournament with a $20 million purse will be the popular WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.