SONY OPEN IN HAWAII

January 15, 2026

John VanDerLaan

Waialae Country Club

Quick Quotes

THE MODERATOR: John, what was going through your mind on the first tee today? Any nerves? Anything like that?

JOHN VANDERLAAN: A little bit. I felt like I've been playing good, so just kind of trying to stick to the way things have been going.

Obviously played a lot of good golf in the last couple years, so just trying to take that. I played a few TOUR events and had some success. Kind of channeled that a little bit.

It's always a little nerve-wracking getting the year started, so felt good to get one down the fairway.

Q. There you go. Were there any jitters starting at 2-over through 3? What did you it to flip that switch?

JOHN VANDERLAAN: Yeah, I just kind of made a couple mistakes early on. Just a little bit of rust from not playing competitive golf, just playing at home.

I've been playing really solid the last few weeks, so just kind of believing that it was coming. Drove it really nice today. Gave myself a lot of opportunities. Was able to capitalize making some good putts too.

Just tried to stick with the way things were going and it all worked out.

Q. There you go. How did you spend the time off between the end of the KFT season until now?

JOHN VANDERLAAN: Yeah, a good bit of time at home. It was nice not having to get ready for Q-School for maybe the first time since I've been a pro. Hanging out with family and friends. We did a little bit of traveling. So just enjoying some down time, which haven't had in a while. It was nice.

Q. Do you know Kevin Price?

JOHN VANDERLAAN: Yeah.

Q. He wanted to know if you missed Q-School this year?

JOHN VANDERLAAN: I missed Kevin, not Q-School. It's good to be here now for sure.

Q. What does it mean to know you're a PGA TOUR player now?

JOHN VANDERLAAN: Yeah, obviously it's been what I've been working for since I was a kid, so it's pretty cool to see that goal realized. It's just the first step. There is still a lot I want to do. It's good to be here, and just trying to remember it's the same sport, just against different guys. I can only control what I can do, so keep trusting my game and see where it goes.

Q. Last one from me. What were you thinking about last night and as you woke up today, your approach? Did you reflect on your journey at all through the game of golf until now?

JOHN VANDERLAAN: Yeah, to be honest not a ton. I think I did some of that at the end of the KFT season when I was kind of realizing it, but I've had plenty of time though for it to sink in and get back into the routine of tournament golf and get rolling the way we been the last couple years.

So not as much today. Definitely some at the end of last season. But, yeah, it's nice to get off to a good start.