STAMFORD, Conn. – January 14, 2026 – The 2026 PGA TOUR’s Opening Drive tees off this week with the Sony Open in Hawaii, airing in primetime Thur.-Sun. on Golf Channel and headlining the network’s live tournament coverage this week.
Happy Hour with Smylie presented by Michelob Ultra will return to Golf Channel in 2026 starting at this week’s Sony Open in Hawaii. The fan-favorite segments, which feature on-course reporter Smylie Kaufman hosting PGA TOUR players live, on site at select PGA TOUR events, will air on Friday during the 8-9 p.m. ET window of Golf Channel’s tournament coverage of the Sony Open.
The 2026 Korn Ferry Tour season-opening The Bahamas Golf Classic concludes today, with final round coverage starting at 1 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. The Korn Ferry Tour remains in the Bahamas this week with the Bahamas Great Abaco Classic starting Sunday, with Golf Channel’s live coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
The start of the DP World Tour’s international swing begins with this week’s Dubai Invitational, which makes up Golf Channel’s early morning coverage on Thur.-Sun. starting at 2:30 a.m. ET.
PGA TOUR: SONY OPEN IN HAWAII
This is the first event of the 2026 PGA TOUR season, beginning the TOUR’s ‘Opening Drive’ from Waialae Country Club on Oahu.
The field of 120 players, down from the usual 144, includes TOUR stars such as Jordan Spieth, Collin Morikawa, Keegan Bradley, Tony Finau, Hideki Matsuyama, and defending champion Nick Taylor, who won the 2025 event on the second playoff hole against Nico Echavarria.
Golf Channel will bring live, primetime coverage of the season-opener starting at 7 p.m. ET Thurs.-Sun. On Friday, the fan-favorite segment Happy Hour with Smylie presented by Michelob Ultra will premiere during the 8-9 p.m. ET window of Golf Channel’s tournament coverage.
Golf Channel Broadcast Team
- Play by Play: Steve Sands
- Analyst: Brendon de Jonge
- On-Course: Mark Rolfing / Smylie Kaufman / Arron Oberholser
- Reporter: George Savaricas
Notable Players in the Field
- Jordan Spieth
- Keegan Bradley
- Tony Finau
- Hideki Matsuyama
- Nick Taylor
- Tom Kim
GOLF TODAY AND GOLF CENTRAL
Golf Today and Golf Central will bring news, highlights and analysis of this week in golf throughout the week. Golf Today airs this morning at 11 a.m. ET, with Damon Hack and Eamon Lynchproviding in-studio commentary.
Golf Central will follow Golf Channel’s Korn Ferry Tour coverage today, with Anna Jackson and Paige Mackenzie leading the news show starting at 4 p.m. ET. Beginning tomorrow, Hack will lead Golf Central’s pregame and postgame shows around the Sony Open in Hawaii, alongside Brandel Chamblee.
George Savaricas will contribute to Golf Today and Golf Central all week, reporting from on-site in Hawaii.
| Day | Golf Today | Golf Central |
| Wednesday | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | 4-5 p.m. |
| Thursday | 6-7 p.m. / 10-11 p.m. | |
| Friday | 6-7 p.m. / 10-11 p.m. | |
| Saturday | 6-7 p.m. / 10-11 p.m. | |
| Sunday | 6-7 p.m. / 10-11 p.m. | |
| *All times ET |
Golf Today Team
- Host: Damon Hack
- Studio Analyst: Eamon Lynch
- On-Site Reporting: George Savaricas
Golf Central Team
- Host: Anna Jackson (Wed.), Damon Hack (Thur.-Sun.)
- Studio Analyst: Paige Mackenzie (Wed.), Brandel Chamblee (Thur.-Sun.)
- On-Site Reporting: George Savaricas
DP WORLD TOUR: DUBAI INVITATIONAL
This tournament marks the start of the DP World Tour’s International Swing, taking place at Dubai Creek Resort. Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood headlines the field along with Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Patrick Reed.
The Dubai Invitational will fill the early morning hours on Golf Channel this week, airing live Thur.-Sun. from 2:30-7:30 a.m. ET.
Notable Players in the Field
- Tommy Fleetwood
- Rory McIlroy
- Shane Lowry
- Patrick Reed
- Padraig Harrington
- Nicolai Hojgaard
Emily Carman
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