'It's everything I dreamed of': Maui teen gears up for Sony Open debut

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - January’s Sony Open at Waialae Country Club is one of the PGA Tour’s longest-running traditions.

And for 17-year-old Tyler Loree, it’ll be the biggest moment of his career yet.

“It’s just everything I dreamed of. It’s the PGA Tour,” Loree said. “It’s awesome.”

The Seabury Hall senior and incoming UCLA freshman punched his ticket to Waialae after winning the Sony qualifier back in November, outpacing Hawaii’s top amateurs by four strokes.

“A couple years back, I wouldn’t dream about playing a PGA Tour event before finishing high school, but here I am,” Loree said. “It’s just so awesome. I’m gonna try to have the most fun I can this week.”

Loree joins a field that features the world’s top-ranked golfers and Major winners, including previous Masters victor Hideki Matsuyama.

The teen doing his best to stay even keeled while his family soaks it all up.

“These are the best players in the world and we get to walk around and play the same course as them at the same time, and it’s amazing,” said Tyler’s father, Bob Loree. “I can’t believe we’re here, to be honest. It’s fantastic.”

From Tadd Fujikawa to Michelle Wie, the Sony Open has seen its fair share of great moments over the years from local amateurs, and Loree, with dreams of one day reaching the PGA Tour, is embracing this chance to make a memorable first impression.

“I couldn’t be here without the people behind my back — my family, friends, coaches,” Loree said. “I’m out here to have fun and kind of make them proud, also represent Hawaii and all the places where I come from as well.”

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