SONY OPEN IN HAWAII

January 16, 2026

Maverick McNealy

Waialae Country Club

Quick Quotes

THE MODERATOR: Maverick, second consecutive 66. Just get some comments on your play today.

MAVERICK McNEALY: I feel like I hit it awesome. Had one poor tee ball. Other than that, feel like I handled these windy conditions extremely well.

Yeah, wasn't quite sure what game was going to be showing up not having played since Utah, but game feels really good and happy with the work I did this offseason.

Q. Double on No. 2 but how proud are you to come back with four birdies over the next seven?

MAVERICK McNEALY: Yeah, really good. I feel like everything has been going really well. Been hitting it really nice, controlling the flight and the trajectory. And hitting the ball solid with irons in the wind like this is extremely important. Shaping the ball one direction versus the other can completely change the distance your ball travels.

So I've had really good control over that the first two days. That's helped me a lot.

Q. Fifth made cut here at this tournament. Really one bad round in those five years was last year in the final round. What is it about this golf course that suits you so well?

MAVERICK McNEALY: I think it plays to my strength of being able to change the trajectory off the tees. I like to hit it high or low and kind of use the wind that way as my friend. The ground is firm and the ball runs, so I don't lose any distance when hit it low like that.

Again, controlling the trajectory into the greens is important. I wouldn't say bermuda is my favorite grass, but so far I've done all right on it.

Q. Four Top 3 finishes last year; 23rd in the FedExCup. Just an outstanding year. How much of a goal is it for you this year to get back in the winner's circle though?

MAVERICK McNEALY: Winner's circle is the goal every week. I wouldn't think that even last year not winning was a disappointment of a year. I was tenth in the FedExCup points through at the BMW and got to play at East Lake. It was just a dream year.

But really getting to play on the PGA TOUR it's a dream every week.