The heartbreaking reason Lee Trevino gave away nearly half of his prize money after winning at Waialae

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It would be a huge shame to see the Sony Open in Hawaii disappear from the calendar should the PGA Tour decide to no longer visit the islands at the start of the season.

With The Sentry cancelled this year, it has been the job of the Sony Open in Hawaii to kick off the 2026 season on the PGA Tour. And Waialae has attracted a strong field, with a number of the world’s top 10 involved.

It is an event that has been won by some iconic names over the years, including Lee Trevino.

In fact, following his victory in 1968, Trevino ended up giving away nearly half of his prize money for a heartbreaking reason.

Why Lee Trevino gave away $10,000 after winning at Waialae

Trevino trailed by one shot heading into the final round. However, he went on to win by two from George Archer, with Archer making bogey on his final two holes.

It was only the second PGA Tour victory of Trevino’s career. He had won the US Open earlier in the year. Remarkably, it would not be until 1969 that Trevino would feature in all four majors in the same year.

He received $25,000 for winning at Waialae. It was nearly three times the amount Ted Makalena had received for his victory at the same event just two years earlier.

Makalena and Trevino were extremely close. However, Makalena was not there for his friend’s win in 1968.

Unfortunately, Makalena had died at the age of 34 after sustaining injuries in a swimming accident less than two months before Trevino’s victory.

Trevino actually had his friend’s brother on the bag for the event then known as the Hawaiian Open. And after his win, it was confirmed that he was donating $10,000 to the education fund for Makalena’s young son.

The importance of Ted Makalena’s victory at the Hawaiian Open

Makalena’s win was particularly significant given that he had been born in Hawaii. The event would have to wait until 1990 for another hometown hero, with David Ishii emerging victorious.

Remarkably, like Makalena, the Hawaiian Open provided the only PGA Tour victory of Ishii’s career.

Trevino, meanwhile, would go on to make 12 appearances in the event. He went on to finish second to Andy Bean in 1980 – one of four top 10s he had at Waialae.