Canadian Taylor Clinches Sony Open Victory in Playoff

Summary:
- Nik Taylor clinched the Sony Open with a playoff victory over Nico Echavarria.
- The win marks Taylor’s fifth PGA Tour title and secures his spot at the Masters.
- Stephan Jaeger and J.J. Spaun faltered late, allowing Taylor and Echavarria to capitalize with clutch shots.
Nick Taylor delivered a dramatic finish at the Sony Open, chipping in for eagle on the 18th hole to force a playoff and securing victory with a precise pitch for birdie to defeat Nico Echavarria.
The win now guarantees a return trip to the Masters for the 36-year-old Canadian turned pro in 2010, which is a significant milestone after a rough end to last season.
The victory also marks the fifth PGA Tour title, with his last three victories coming in playoffs, including a memorable home win at the 2023 Canadian Open with a 70-foot eagle putt.
Taylor: “I’m a Bit Stunned This Worked Out This Way”
Taylor’s chances seemed slim at Waialae, especially after missing two short birdie putts late in the round.
However, the Manitoba-born’s brilliant 60-foot eagle chip on the par-5 18th capped a 5-under 65, giving him a fair shot at the title.
Echavarria matched him with a stunning bunker shot for a tap-in birdie, also carding a 65. Both players finished at 16-under 264.
In the playoff, Taylor stayed alive by sinking a clutch 10-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole. On their second trip down the 18th, Taylor’s approach from a fairway bunker left him 46 yards from the pin.
His ensuing pitch was flawless, rolling to within 3 feet for a decisive birdie. Echavarria, just off the green, missed his birdie attempt after leaving his eagle putt 7 feet short.
“I’m a bit stunned this worked out this way” Taylor said with a smile.
Echavarria: “Just One Bad Putt Can’t Define a Great Week”
Reflecting on his near-miss, the Medellin, Columbia-born cited a misjudged lag putt and acknowledged the impact of the wind. “Just one bad putt can’t define a great week,” he commented.
The 30-year-old won in Japan last fall and finished one shot behind at Sea Island at the end of 2024.
His approach to the 18th on the first playoff hole looked to be about 20 feet away on the fringe until the wind gave it a nudge off the green into the rough.
I misjudged the lag putt on the last hole. I didn’t think it was going to be that slow. Didn’t consider the wind
Jaeger and Spaun Faltered, Taylor and Echvarria Took Advantage
Stephan Jaeger and J.J. Spaun were contenders for much of the day but faltered late.
Jaeger’s errant drive on the 16th led to a costly bogey, while Spaun’s struggles in the closing stretch, including a missed birdie on the 18th, left him at 68.
Echavarria and Taylor capitalized, rallying with clutch saves and big shots down the stretch.
Taylor’s eagle on the 18th was the pivotal moment, and Echavarria’s bunker brilliance kept him in the fight.
Ultimately, it was Taylor’s composure in the playoff that sealed a victory in a thrilling finale at Waialae.
Hideki Matsuyama, last week’s Kapalua champion with a record 35-under par, shot a final-round 66 to finish at 11 under, tying for 16th in his attempt to become the third player to sweep Hawaii.