The PGA Tour cancels The Sentry 2026 due to ongoing drought and water shortages in Kapalua, starting the season in Hawaii with the Sony Open.
What has been a fixed part of the calendar for years will be absent 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, irrigation restrictions, and numerous logistical hurdles led to the decision not to hold the tournament. Thus, the PGA Tour loses its customary season opener on a course that has been known since 1999 for spectacular drives and stunning Pacific backdrops.
Water Cut Off – Course Conditions Not Suitable for the PGA Tour
As early as August 2025, it was clear: The Plantation Course faced serious problems. Water supply was nearly completely stopped, and both courses at Kapalua had to close. 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 conditions. A replacement venue was considered, but transport, infrastructure, and scheduling made the plan quickly unrealistic.
What’s Next for the Season Opener?
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 considerations is moving the season start to February – with more focus and less competition from the NFL. Tiger Woods heads the commission developing 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. 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 has long been the tournament where the previous year’s champions and top-50 players kicked off the new year in a relaxed atmosphere. Now the season begins directly with the first full field. Whether and when The Sentry will return is uncertain – what is clear is that 2026 will be quiet in Kapalua.