The Sony Open is underway at Waialae Country Club in Oahu, Hawaii. This article will serve as a thread of live updates plus information from the grouping of Hideki Matsuyama, Keegan Bradley, and Jordan Spieth.

SPORTS TALK FLORIDA

SPORTS TALK GEORGIA

As of 12:30 Hawaiian Standard time or 5:30 Eastern Standard time, the leaderboard in the media room is as follows

T1 Ben Griffin: -7, Finished

T1 Chris Gotterup: -7, Finished

T1 Nick Taylor: -7, through 17 holes

T1 Kevin Roy: -7, through 15 holes

5 Alex Smalley: -6, finished

T6 Denny McCarthy: -5, Finished

T6 Kurt Kitayama: -5, Finished

T6 Harry Hall: -5, Finished

T6 Russell Henley: -5, Finished

T6 John Parry: -5, through 16 holes

Live Updates from Matsuyama, Bradley, and Spieth Round 1 at the Sony Open

Update 12:55

I finally was able to catchup to the group on the tee box at 4.

Through 3 they all are currently 1 under par

Interesting note: Bradley birdied 1, Spieth birdied 2 and Matsuyama birdied 3.

Hole 4:

Spieth: Missed the green right. The ball is pretty well buried, tough up and down. Not a bad chip, not a great chip either long look for par. Par putt left just short, it’s a bogey on 4.

Bradley: On the green in the middle tier will have a long uphill putt at birdie. Good lag putt, just short, he cleans up for par.

Matsuyama: Got his tee shot to the back third tier of the green, best look at birdie of the 3. Missed the putt just left of the hole and cleans up for par

Through 4: Bradley -1, Matsuyama -1, Spieth E

Hole 5: Par 4 with the pin tucked in the back right of the green.

Matsuyama: In the fairway on the left side. Missed the green to the right will be chipping from the rough. Good chip will have a really good chance to save par. Misses the short par putt, bogey on 5.

Bradley: In the fairway on the left side. A couple yards closer than Matsuyama. Hits the middle of the green in the back will have a putt at birdie. Drills the long birdie putt to move to -2.

Spieth: In the fairway on the right side. Sticks one to the back right pin should have a really good look at birdie. Missed his birdie putt.

Through 5: Bradley -2, Spieth E, and Matsuyama E

Hole 6: Par 4, middle pin placement

The 18-year-old building needs upgrades according to a New Jersey politician.

The National Hockey League’s New Jersey Devils franchise owner Josh Harris is looking for the stadium game hat trick in getting public dollars. Harris is building a new stadium for his National Football League Washington Commanders franchise in the nation’s capital. Harris is working with the owners of the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers franchise and will be building a new venue for his National Basketball Association’s 76ers franchise in south Philadelphia. Now Harris may be in a position to get New Jersey state funding to upgrade his Newark building, an arena that opened up in 2007.

A bill has been introduced in the New Jersey State Assembly by Democrat Eliana Pintor Marin of Essex, whose district includes most of Newark, would allocate up to $300 million in state subsidies for renovations at the Newark arena. “It’s at the point where it needs to have major renovations in order to not only make sure the only professional sports team that New Jersey has, which is the New Jersey Devils, can continue to play, but also so that they’re able to compete and bring in different spectators and bring in different shows,” Marin said. Harris’ lease with the Newark Housing Authority ends in 2038. Harris’ company runs the Newark arena. The Newark arena has an interesting history. The owners of the National Basketball Association’s New Jersey Nets wanted to move from the Meadowlands which is about eight miles away from Newark but could not get money from New Jersey politicians and ultimately the franchise moved to Brooklyn. Then Devils franchise owner Jeffrey Vanderbeek was able to work out a deal with Newark elected leaders to build a venue in the city. The Newark arena subsidies package will now be in front of the New Jersey state assembly as the arena game plays out.

Evan Weiner’s books are available at iTunes – https://books.apple.com/us/author/evan-weiner/id595575191

Evan can be reached at evan_weiner@hotmail.com

Newark Arena

Speculation around the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium search intensified after reports that the Hillsborough Community College Board will meet to discuss land matters. The meeting comes as the Rays explore more than 100 acres at the Dale Mabry campus for a new stadium and entertainment district. Local news outlets report that the site has emerged as a leading candidate for the team’s long‑term home. The Rays’ new ownership group wants a modern stadium and a mixed‑use district similar to The Battery in Atlanta. The Dale Mabry land offers rare size and central access in Tampa. The campus sits near major roads and existing sports venues. That combination makes the site extremely attractive for large development.

State Approval Required for Any HCC Relocation

HCC cannot sell the land without a detailed relocation plan. The college is part of the Florida College System and must follow strict state rules. Any relocation requires approval from the HCC Board of Trustees and the Florida Department of Education. The state may also require legislative involvement due to the campus size. Local reporting confirms that the board must identify a new campus location before any sale proceeds. The Dale Mabry campus includes classrooms, labs, parking areas, and student services. Those facilities cannot be removed without a replacement campus. The process would require a full transition plan to avoid disrupting academic programs. The state historically demands equal or improved facilities for relocated colleges.

Where Would HCC Relocate?

The state will want HCC to remain close to the current Dale Mabry location. The campus serves major programs that require stable access for thousands of students. A new HCC campus would need a central location that protects student access and program stability. The Westshore area offers the strongest combination of roads, transit, and workforce partnerships. The district sits close to the current Dale Mabry campus, which helps reduce disruption for students and faculty. Westshore also provides strong connections to major employers, which supports HCC’s technical and health programs. The area includes several older office parks that could be redeveloped into a modern academic center.

A site near Tampa International Airport could also work for HCC. The area east of the runways includes commercial parcels with redevelopment potential. These sites offer strong access to Veterans Expressway and State Road 60. They also sit close to major employment zones that support HCC’s workforce mission. Noise and height limits would require careful planning, but the area remains a realistic option.

The Columbus Drive and Lois Avenue corridor offers another possible location. This area sits between Westshore and downtown and includes land with redevelopment potential. The corridor provides strong transit access and lower land costs than core Westshore. It may require parcel assembly, but it remains a viable alternative for a new campus. The location keeps HCC close to its student base and major transportation routes.

Height Restrictions Add Another Layer of Complexity

The campus sits inside Tampa International Airport’s height‑restricted zone. Any new stadium or mixed‑use towers must comply with aviation rules. WTSP reports that the area includes strict height limits due to flight paths and safety corridors. Developers would need permits from the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. Stadium designers must consider roof height, lighting structures, and surrounding buildings. These restrictions could shape the final design of the entertainment district. The Rays would need early coordination with airport officials to avoid delays.

A Battery‑Style District Could Transform the Area

A stadium village on Dale Mabry could reshape Tampa’s sports corridor. The site sits near Raymond James Stadium and Steinbrenner Field. Much of the needed infrastructure already exists around the area. Roads, parking, and utilities could reduce public costs for the project. A mixed‑use district could include hotels, restaurants, apartments, and retail. The Rays want a year‑round destination that generates revenue beyond baseball games. The location offers strong potential for a regional entertainment hub.

Silence From Officials Suggests the Site Is a Serious Contender

Local media note that no one from the Rays, the City of Tampa, or Hillsborough County is discussing the HCC meeting publicly. That silence has fueled speculation that the Dale Mabry campus is the leading stadium site. If the Rays secure the land, this could be the first major step in the stadium process. The location’s proximity to existing sports venues strengthens its appeal. The area could become a powerful sports and entertainment district with shared infrastructure. The lack of public comment suggests negotiations may already be underway. Many observers believe the HCC site is now the most likely home for the new Rays stadium.