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 calendar staple for years will be absent in 2026: The PGA Tour has removed The Sentry at the Kapalua Resort from its schedule. The reasons lie quite literally in the ground — or more precisely: in the lack of water. The ongoing drought on Maui, irrigation restrictions, and numerous logistical challenges led to the decision not to hold the tournament. As a result, the PGA Tour loses its customary season opener at a course that has featured spectacular drives and stunning Pacific backdrops since 1999.
Water Cut Off – Course Conditions Unsuitable for the PGA Tour
By August 2025, it was clear: The Plantation Course was facing serious issues. Water supply was nearly completely shut off, and both Kapalua courses had to close. Even after partial easing of the restrictions, the available water remained too limited to restore 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 made the plan quickly 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 ideas is moving the season start to February — with more focus and less competition from the NFL. Tiger Woods is leading 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 kick off the season, played from January 15 at the Waialae Country Club. For the PGA Tour, this is more than a minor calendar change since The Sentry was for many years the tournament where the previous year’s winner 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 returns is still open — but one thing is certain: 2026 will be quiet in Kapalua.