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 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 the schedule. The reasons lie literally in the ground – or more precisely: in the lack of water. The ongoing drought on 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 known since 1999 for spectacular drives and stunning Pacific backdrops.
Water Cut Off – Course Conditions Not Suitable for the PGA Tour
By August 2025, it was clear: The Plantation Course faced serious issues. Water supply was almost completely stopped, forcing both courses in Kapalua to close. Even after partial easing of restrictions, the available water was too limited to restore the course to its usual condition. The PGA Tour sent its agronomy teams to assess the situation – but their verdict was clear: no tournament start under these conditions. A replacement venue was considered, but transport, infrastructure, and scheduling made this quickly unrealistic.
What’s Next for the Season Opener?
Whether The Sentry will return in 2027 remains uncertain. Behind the scenes, a new PGA Tour schedule is being developed. Among the ideas is shifting the season start to February, with more focus and less competition from the NFL. Tiger Woods heads the committee working on proposals for a more modern structure. Nothing has been decided yet.
Instead of The Sentry, the Sony Open in Honolulu will take over as the season opener. The event will take place from January 15 at the Waialae Country Club. For the PGA Tour, this is more than a minor calendar change, as The Sentry has long been the tournament where the previous year’s winner and top-50 players kick off the new year in a relaxed atmosphere. Now, the season starts directly with a full field. Whether and when The Sentry returns is still open – one thing is certain: 2026 will be quiet in Kapalua.