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HONOLULU — Chan Kim’s first Sony Open experience as a card-carrying PGA member ended in agonizing fashion. On Thursday, he made it clear he has no intention of having his sophomore effort at his hometown PGA event go a similar way.
The Kaimuki High alumnus shot a 4-under 66 to sit two shots off the lead, and Seabury Hall’s Tyler Loree was right behind with a 67 on Day 1 of the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club.
Kim, a second-year full PGA member who missed the cut at Waialae by a stroke this time last year, was on his game in a bogey-free round. He capped it off with a 12-footer for birdie on the ninth hole, his last of the day, after chipping out of a greenside bunker. He finished the day tied for 13th.
"I think that I stayed pretty patient out there today, and I think that was a very big key. I’ve been working really hard on my putting," the 2006 HHSAA boys individual champion said.
The conditions — immaculate fairways, clear skies and light winds — at Waialae were to his liking.
"A win here would absolutely mean the world to me," Kim said. "I used to come to this tournament all the time when I was a kid. Actually, it’s kind of funny I was paired with Aaron Baddeley because I actually watched him, I remember, like back in ’06 or ’05, so I was pretty excited about my pairing (with him)."
Loree, a 17-year-old who won a HSJGA amateur qualifier in November, is committed to play at UCLA next year. He began his day with two bogeys in the first five holes but heated up with three straight birdies before the turn, then another on No. 10. He sandwiched a bogey on No. 13 with two more birdies to finish in a tie for 26th.
"I just kept stacking good shots," Loree said. "Nothing really changed that much. Just kept focusing on what I’m doing, making sure I’m present in the moment, you know, just kept working on just hitting good shots and having good pre-shot routine, calming myself down as much as I can."
With another good round Friday, Loree can become the uncommon amateur to make the cut at a PGA event.
Loree became Seabury Hall’s first HHSAA individual golf champion last year.
"Not going to lie, (at) the state championship high school (tournament) I was pretty nervous," he said. "But I feel like for me, just playing this week I’m just super grateful. … It’s like I made it out here, which is so great. I’m just trying to enjoy the moment. I feel like it’s a little less pressure."
Six players — Hary Hall, Adam Schenk, Eric Cole, Denny McCarthy, Paul Peterson and Tom Hoge — shared the lead at 6-under 64. Last week’s record-setting champion of The Sentry to kick off the 2025 PGA Tour season, Hideki Matsuyama, posted birdies on two of his last three holes to sit at 3 under.
Kim is scheduled to tee off at 7:30 a.m. at the No. 1 tee while Loree goes off at 8:50 a.m. at No. 10.
Kelly Welsh, the director of golf at Makena Golf Club and the Aloha Section PGA champion, shot an 11-over 81.
Note: This story was updated with details and quotes.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
