The PGA Tour cancels The Sentry 2026 in Kapalua due to ongoing drought and water shortages, kicking off the new season in Hawaii with the Sony Open.
What has been a fixed calendar highlight for years will be missing in 2026: The PGA Tour has removed The Sentry at the Kapalua Resort from its schedule. The reasons lie 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 usual season opener on a course known since 1999 for spectacular drives and stunning Pacific backdrops.
Water Cut Off – Course Conditions Unsuitable for PGA Tour
As early as August 2025, it was clear the Plantation Course was facing serious issues. The water supply was almost completely stopped, and both courses at Kapalua had to close. Even after partial easing of restrictions, the quantities remained so limited that the course could not be restored to its usual condition. The PGA Tour sent its agronomy teams to assess – but the verdict was clear: no tournament start under these conditions. Alternative locations were considered, but transport, infrastructure, and scheduling made such options quickly unrealistic.
What’s Next for the Season Start?
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 plans, there is consideration to move the season start to February to allow more focus and less competition with 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 over the opening role. The tournament will be played from January 15 at the Waialae Country Club. For the PGA Tour, this is more than a minor calendar change, since The Sentry had for many years been the event where the previous year’s winners and top-50 players kicked off 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 open – but one thing is certain: 2026 will be quiet in Kapalua.