Hampered by a lingering wrist injury last year, the former second-ranked player in the world now sits 28th. After two top-five finishes in the 2018 playoffs, Matsuyama is poised for a bounce-back season.  

After starting his season at the Tournament of Champions for the first time since 2010, Casey heads to Honolulu rust-free at a Waialae course that fits his elite iron skills. 

Scott turned around his down year with two late top-five results, including a run at the PGA Championship. If that form continues to start 2019, he'll thrive at Waialae.

Howell loves Honolulu, as he's racked up six top-10 finishes in his last 10 appearances. Unlike previous years, he'll have the added benefit of playing in last week's Tournament of Champions.

The Tour's brightest up-and-coming star is primarily known for his power but proved last week he's also a world-class putter. Whenever Champ puts the entire package together, he contends.

He led the field in putting at last week's Tournament of Champions but was off with his irons. Expect DeChambeau to crunch the numbers and correct the issues that let him down in Maui.

Coming off the worst season of his PGA Tour career, Spieth's road back to being a top-five player begins in Honolulu. He's still in the upper tier of the Sony Open field based on pedigree alone. 

Leishman was solid en route to a T-4 showing at the Tournament of Champions. The good Hawaiian vibes should continue for the Aussie at a track that perfectly suits his accuracy-over-power game.

Woodland was brilliant in all facets last week and nearly took down his fourth career win. He's primed to repeat that performance at the Sony Open, an event at which he's finished inside the top 15 in four straight years.  

The heavy favorite to win was dialed in last week, but an uncharacteristically-cold putter led to a third-place finish. He shot an opening-round 59 to cruise to the 2017 Sony Open title.