What happens when the calm Hawaiian fairways serve as the stage for the most intense and controversial moments in golf? Founded in 1965, the PGA Tour mainstay, the Sony Open in Hawaii, has long been praised for its beautiful surroundings and exciting competitions.

With 144 highly regarded professionals consisting of seasoned experts, former champions, and bright rookies, the lineup is a who’s who of golf. Despite the calm water and swaying palm trees, the competition has not been without controversy.

Drama has been present at the event, ranging from controversial decisions to private conflicts on the fairways. Let’s scrutinize three of the most dramatic scandals that have shaken the Sony Open in the last few years.

The free drop controversy of Carl Yuan (2024)

Chinese golfer Carl Yuan became embroiled in a rule dispute at the Sony Open final round in January 2024, sparking conversations around the golf community. Yuan’s second shot, which tied him for the lead on the 18th hole, went wildly to the right and toward a hospitality tent. A thorough search was conducted, but the ball was never located. But according to Todd Lewis of the Golf Channel, a PGA Tour rules official gave Yuan a free drop close to the tent because of “virtual certainty”—a conclusion backed by video footage and witness reports that the ball had fallen there. This ruled it into a Temporary Immovable Obstruction (TIO). He was able to continue without incurring any penalties as a result of this choice, and he ended up finishing with a par.

There was instant criticism of the decision. Critics contended that granting a free drop established a risky precedent in the absence of the actual retrieval of the ball. Debates concerning the TIO rule’s interpretation and its consequences for upcoming competitions erupted on social media. The rules’ allowance for circumstances involving immovable obstacles was cited by many who supported the ruling, highlighting how crucial it is to preserve fairness when outside structures affect play. 

The controversial win of Grayson Murray (2024)

Another contentious incident concerning American golfer Grayson Murray occurred at the same tournament. Grayson Murray passed away in May 2024, one day after withdrawing from the Charles Schwab Challenge’s round two due to sickness. For nearly all of his career, Grayson Murray has been a knucklehead whose immense talent was consistently overshadowed by a turbulent career filled with both private and public conflicts and received mixed reviews for his involvement in the Sony Open. His playoff triumph proved his tenacity, but it also reignited debates about his prior conduct and how it affected his career.

Murray’s past includes open confessions of struggling with intoxication and mental health concerns and even clashes with other athletes. He publicly criticized the PGA Tour in 2021 for insufficient mental health care and for his October 2022 scooter accident in Bermuda, where he collided with a car straightaway and sustained injuries to his face, wrists, and knee. His victory in Hawaii was viewed by some as a restorative arc that reflected his resolve and individual development. Others, however, saw it as a reminder of the sport’s difficulties in addressing behavioral issues within its membership. The triumph brought up issues of professional athletes’ obligations on and off the course, as well as the function of governing authorities in offering their athletes support networks.

Cameron Smith’s clutch win in Hawaii (2020)

Australian golfer Cameron Smith won his maiden PGA Tour event at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January 2020, however the event ended in scandal. Smith made a spectacular return, making a playoff with an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole after being four over par just two holes into the tournament. The playoffs itself were controversial; some fans questioned the rapidity of play and the equity of some of the decisions. Although Smith ultimately prevailed, there was still some controversy regarding the final seconds’ integrity following the tournament’s end.

Smith took advantage of his rivals’ errors on the last holes, which sparked the debate. Leading player Brendan Steele had a bogey after missing a 6-foot par putt on the 17th and hitting a wayward hook from the fairway on the par-5 18th. Smith forced the playoffs by chasing his shot to ten feet and making the birdie putt after driving into the right rough. Although Smith’s triumph was widely applauded, the way it was won raised questions among the fans and commentators regarding the play’s nuances and the legitimacy of the closing seconds.

These instances at the Sony Open in Hawaii serve as a reminder of the obstacles and intricacy that come with playing professional golf. As the competition moves forward, everyone hopes that the lessons discovered from these disputes will create a more open and encouraging atmosphere. To maintain the essence of the game while adjusting to the altering professional sports scene, the Sony Open continues to be an aspect of the golf calendar for years ahead.