The 2019 Sony Open in Hawaii field is the first full-field PGA Tour event of the calendar year, and it's a popular one.
The Sony Open in Hawaii exemption criteria tend to favor veteran players, who like to start the year with a trip to Honolulu and play the classic Waialae Country Club. It's often difficult for lower-ranking players on the priority order, like those who graduated from the Web.com Tour and Web.com Tour Finals to get in this field.
Entry into the Sony Open in Hawaii is almost solely based on a player's place in PGA Tour priority order. Some exemptions fill out the 144-player field.
This is also the first tournament of the year with open Monday qualifying, dedicating four spots to those who get through an 18-hole tournament prior to the event.
Sony Open in Hawaii qualifying and exemption categories
- Up to three professional golfers from Japan, China, India, Brazil, Mexico, Russia or other emerging markets invited by the tournament host
- The first eligible players as listed in current PGA Tour priority order
- Four open qualifiers
