New Hawaiian island, new course, same wind

Same state, new island, two courses that could not be more different.

What hasn't changed between the two-week Hawaii swing on the PGA Tour is the wind, which is stronger than usual.

The gusts approached 40 mph at Kapalua last week for the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

It was blowing just as hard Wednesday at Waialae on the eve of the Sony Open that will include six Australians in the field.

Australian Open winner Matt Jones will be joined by countrymen Marc Leishman, Cameron Smith, Rhein Gibson, Cameron Percy and Cameron Davis.

"I've never seen the wind blow like this, and it's supposed to blow like this every day," said Justin Thomas, who will try to repeat his Hawaii 2-0 performance from 2017 when he won on both courses.

Thomas and the other 34 players in the winners-only field last week at least have some fresh experience.

The Sony Open starts on Friday (AEDT) with Matt Kuchar as the defending champion.

He is among those at Kapalua last week who should get some answers on which course is tougher to play in the wind.

It's not that simple an equation.

Waialae is 7,044 yards at a par 70, with narrow fairways and a strain of Bermuda grass that allows the ball to sink to the bottom.

The greens are small. But being older, and so much recent rain, they are extremely soft and receptive.

"I think guys that played last week have a pretty nice advantage," Graeme McDowell said.

"We have a week under our belt in very similar conditions. But this week, the greens are more receptive. I can't believe how soft they are."

Charles Howell III is playing the Sony Open for the 19th consecutive year, with two runner-up finishes among his 10 appearance in the top 10.

He knows the wind of Waialae, and he considers this week an exception.