The PGA Tour cancels The Sentry 2026 due to ongoing drought and water shortages in Kapalua and kicks off the new season in Hawaii with the Sony Open.
What has been a fixed part of the calendar for years will be missing in 2026: The PGA Tour has removed The Sentry at the Kapalua Resort from its schedule. The reasons lie quite literally in the ground – or more precisely: in the lack of water. The ongoing drought in Maui, along with irrigation restrictions and numerous logistical hurdles, led to the decision not to hold the tournament. This means the PGA Tour loses its traditional season opener on a course that has featured spectacular drives and stunning Pacific backdrops since 1999.
Water Cut Off – Course Conditions Not Suitable for the PGA Tour
By August 2025, it was clear: The Plantation Course was facing serious issues. Water supply was almost completely stopped, forcing the closure of both courses in Kapalua. Even after partial easing of restrictions, the amounts remained so limited that the course could not be restored to its usual condition. The PGA Tour sent their agronomy teams to assess, but the verdict was clear: No tournament start under these circumstances. A replacement venue was considered, but transport, infrastructure, and scheduling challenges quickly made this unrealistic.
Future of the Season Opener
Whether The Sentry will return to the calendar in 2027 remains uncertain. Behind the scenes, a new PGA Tour schedule is being worked on. Among ideas is shifting the season start to February, aiming for more focus and less competition with the NFL. Tiger Woods is leading the commission developing proposals for a more modern structure. Nothing has been finalized yet.
Instead of The Sentry, the Sony Open in Honolulu will now take the opening role, starting January 15 at the Waialae Country Club. For the PGA Tour, this is more than a minor calendar change, as The Sentry was for many years the event where the defending champion and top 50 players kicked off the new year in a relaxed atmosphere. Now, the season begins directly with a full field. Whether and when The Sentry returns remains open – but one thing is clear: 2026 will be quiet in Kapalua.