The PGA Tour cancels The Sentry 2026 due to ongoing drought and water shortages in Kapalua, starting the new season in Hawaii with the Sony Open.
What had been a fixed part of the calendar for years will be gone in 2026: The PGA Tour has removed The Sentry at the Kapalua Resort from the schedule. The reasons lie literally in the ground – or more precisely: in the lack of water. The ongoing drought on Maui, restrictions on irrigation, and numerous logistical challenges led to the decision not to hold the tournament. This means the PGA Tour loses its usual season opener at a course known since 1999 for spectacular drives and breathtaking Pacific views.
Water Cut Off – Course Conditions Unsuitable for PGA Tour
As early as August 2025, it became clear: The Plantation Course was facing serious problems. Water supply was almost completely stopped, and both courses at Kapalua had to close. Even after partial easing of restrictions, the amounts remained so limited that the course couldn’t be brought back to its usual condition. The PGA Tour sent its agronomy teams – but their verdict was clear: no tournament start under these conditions. An alternative location was considered, but transport, infrastructure, and scheduling quickly made this plan unrealistic.
What’s Next for the Season Start?
Whether The Sentry will return to the calendar in 2027 remains open. Behind the scenes, a new PGA Tour schedule is being worked on. Among other ideas is shifting the season start to February, with more focus and less competition from the NFL. Tiger Woods leads the commission developing proposals for a more modern structure. Nothing is decided yet.
Instead of The Sentry, the Sony Open in Honolulu will now take over as the season opener. It will be played from 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 tournament where previous year’s winners and top-50 players started the new year in a relaxed atmosphere. Now the season will start directly with a full field. Whether and when The Sentry will return remains uncertain – but one thing is clear: 2026 will be quiet in Kapalua.