The PGA Tour cancels The Sentry 2026 due to ongoing drought and water shortage in Kapalua, starting the season with the Sony Open in Hawaii.
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 lie quite literally in the ground – or more precisely, the lack of water. The ongoing drought on Maui, irrigation restrictions, and numerous logistical hurdles led to the decision not to hold the tournament. This means the PGA Tour loses its familiar season opener on a course known since 1999 for spectacular drives and stunning Pacific backdrops.
Water Cut Off – Course Conditions Unsuitable for the PGA Tour
By August 2025, it was clear that the Plantation Course was facing serious problems. Water supply was almost completely halted, forcing the closure of both courses at Kapalua. Even after some easing of restrictions, the available water was too limited to restore the course to its usual condition. The PGA Tour sent its agronomy teams, but their assessment was clear: no tournament start under these conditions. Alternative locations were considered, but transport, infrastructure, and scheduling made the idea unrealistic.
What’s Next for the Season Start?
Whether The Sentry will return in 2027 remains uncertain. Behind the scenes, a new PGA Tour schedule is being developed. One idea under consideration is to move the season start to February, allowing more focus and less competition with the NFL. Tiger Woods leads the commission working on proposals for a more modern structure, but no decisions have been made yet.
Instead of The Sentry, the Sony Open in Honolulu will now take the season-opening role. The tournament 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 was long the event where the previous year’s winner and top-50 players welcomed the new year in a relaxed atmosphere. Now, the season begins immediately with a full field. Whether and when The Sentry returns is still open – but one thing is certain: 2026 will be quiet in Kapalua.