Brendan Steele’s affinity for the Sony Open is recent and growing after a Saturday 61 at Waialae Country Club put him in the 54-hole lead in the event for the second straight year. Prior to 2020, the 37-year-old PGA Tour journeyman had played in Honolulu only once, missing the cut in 2011. But in his last seven rounds at Waialae, Steele is 29 under par, having made two eagles and 41 birdies.
That said, Steele has a wrong he’d like to right in the final round. A year ago, after carrying his three-shot lead into the final day, he stumbled on the back nine, making two bogeys on the final six holes to shoot a one-over 71 and fall into a playoff with Cameron Smith. A bogey on the extra hole after a poor approach shot meant he’d have to wait and wonder if and when a fourth career win might happen.
That day could be Sunday. And if Steele can get his redemption and win the tournament a year after losing it in a playoff, it will be the first time that’s happened on tour since 2008 when Ryuji Imada accomplished that feat at the now defunct AT&T Classic outside Atlanta.
With a win, Steele would earn $1.188 million, which would be the largest single payday in his career. The overall prize money payout at the Sony Open is $6.6 million. Here’s a breakdown of the payouts for every golfer who made the cut this week. Come back shortly after the end of the tournament on Sunday and we’ll have player names and how much they won.