59-foot CHIP-IN forces playoff at Sony Open! You won't believe how it ended...

Good morning. This is your Happy Valley Golf Team newsletter. Let’s get it!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• Want to make the driver swing feel easy? We have the drill for you.

• From choking to champion: How Taylor turned potential heartbreak into an $1.5M payday in just one shot.

• Drama at Waialae: 14 players within striking distance on Sunday led to the most exciting finish of 2025 (so far!).

• The feel good story you need to read to start your week.

Got Season Tickets? Let Them Make You Money!

Season tickets are the best, right? Front-row seats, exclusive access, and the ultimate fan experience. But let's be real—life happens, and you can’t make it to every game. Why let those tickets go to waste when you could be making extra cash? With Lysted, you can effortlessly sell your unused tickets on all the top platforms like StubHub, Ticketmaster, and SeatGeek. It's fast, easy, and puts money in your pocket without any hassle.

Don’t let your seats sit empty. Cash in today with Lysted!

Unsolicited Golf Tips

Watch: Xanders Incredible Drill Makes The Driver Swing Feel So Easy

Golf Trivia

TAYLOR-MADE MAGIC: Canadian Chips In For Epic Sony Open Victory in Hawaii

In a dramatic finish that had more twists than a pretzel factory, Nick Taylor claimed victory at the 2025 Sony Open in Hawaii after sinking an absolutely ridiculous 59-foot eagle chip on the 72nd hole to force a playoff with Nico Echavarria. The Canadian, who apparently has ice in his veins and maple syrup in his heart, channeled the same clutch gene that helped him win the 2023 Canadian Open.

The Final Round Drama

J.J. Spaun (whose name sounds like a pasta dish but plays golf like a master chef) had started Sunday with a one-shot lead at 13-under par, with fourteen players within three shots of the lead. However, the story of the day belonged to Taylor, who appeared to be out of contention after missing two four-foot putts on the 15th and 16th holes - the kind of putts that make weekend golfers feel better about their own game.

The Winning Moment

Standing behind the 18th green, two shots back, Taylor faced what seemed like an impossible task - about as likely as finding a snowman in Hawaii. But in a moment that will be replayed for years to come, he expertly judged the 59-foot chip shot that found the bottom of the cup, eliciting a roar from the Hawaiian crowd that probably woke up a few sunbathing tourists on Waikiki Beach. The chip (from downtown) forced a playoff with Echavarria. The two duelled it out on 18 two more times. The first they exchanged birdies. The second time around Taylor secured the win with a birdie.

Tournament Statistics

The 2025 edition featured a hefty purse of $8.7 million, with Taylor claiming the winner's share of $1.566 million - enough to buy several lifetime supplies of maple syrup. The tournament, played at the historic Waialae Country Club, proved to be a stern test for the field, playing as the 27th toughest course out of 50 on the PGA Tour last year.

Notable Performances

Hideki Matsuyama, fresh off his record-setting 35-under performance at The Sentry the previous week, couldn't quite replicate his magic. Though he did manage to keep things interesting with some solid play. Maybe he left his superhero cape at Kapalua? He finished 11-under. Good enough for T-16. The tournament also saw strong performances from Keegan Bradley (-13) and Stephan Jaeger (-15), who both made strong pushes during the final round, though they looked about as comfortable as a cat in a swimming pool coming down the stretch.

The Venue's Challenge

Waialae Country Club, a par-70 measuring 7,044 yards, featured 83 bunkers (because apparently 82 wasn't enough) and four water hazards that kept players honest throughout the week. The course's Bermuda grass and unpredictable trade winds created the perfect cocktail of challenge and opportunity - though most players would have preferred an actual cocktail by the end of their rounds.

In the end, Taylor's victory adds another chapter to his growing legacy of clutch performances, proving once again that in golf, it's not over until the last chip drops – especially if you're Nick Taylor and you have a knack for making the impossible look easier than parallel parking in downtown Honolulu.

News You Need to Know

Masters gives another invitation to LIV golfer Niemann

High-handicappers tend to make this 1 crushing mistake, says top instructor

2025 Sony Open money: Here’s how much every player made

TGL draws strong TV ratings for opening night

‘I went nuts’: PGA Tour rookie’s dramatic first made cut story will make your week

Meme of the Week

Thanks for reading!

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Cody.