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 staple on the calendar for years will be missing in 2026: The PGA Tour has removed The Sentry at Kapalua Resort from the schedule. The reasons are literally in the ground – or more precisely: 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 customary season opener on a course that has been known since 1999 for spectacular drives and breathtaking Pacific vistas.
Water Shut Off – Course Conditions Unfit for PGA Tour
By August 2025, it was clear: The Plantation Course was facing serious problems. Water supply was almost completely shut off, and both courses at Kapalua had to close. Even after partial easing of restrictions, the water amounts remained too limited to bring the course to its usual condition. The PGA Tour sent its agronomy teams to assess the situation – but the verdict was clear: no tournament start under these conditions. A replacement venue was considered, but transport, infrastructure, and scheduling quickly made the idea unrealistic.
What’s Next for 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 developed. Among other things, there are considerations to shift the season start to February, focusing more and facing less competition from the NFL. Tiger Woods leads the commission working on proposals for a more modern structure. Nothing has been decided yet.
Instead of The Sentry, the Sony Open in Honolulu will now take the opening role. It will be played from January 15 at Waialae Country Club. For the PGA Tour, this is more than a minor calendar change, as The Sentry has been the tournament for many years where previous year’s winners and top-50 players welcomed the new year in a relaxed atmosphere. Now, the season begins directly with the first full field. Whether and when The Sentry will return remains open – what is certain is that 2026 will be quiet in Kapalua.