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 Kapalua Resort from its schedule. The reasons lie literally in the ground – or more precisely, in the lack of water. The continuing drought on Maui, irrigation restrictions, and numerous logistical hurdles led to the decision not to hold the tournament. With this, the PGA Tour loses its customary season opener on a course 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 that the Plantation Course faced serious problems. The water supply was almost completely stopped, and both courses at Kapalua had to close. Even after partial easing of restrictions, the quantities remained too limited to restore the course to its usual condition. The PGA Tour sent agronomy teams to assess the situation – but the verdict was clear: no tournament start under these conditions. A replacement venue was considered, but transportation, infrastructure, and scheduling made this 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, allowing more focus and less competition from the NFL. Tiger Woods leads the commission working on proposals for a more modern structure, but no decision has been made yet.
Instead of The Sentry, the Sony Open in Honolulu will now take the opening role, played starting January 15 at Waialae Country Club. For the PGA Tour, this is more than a small calendar change, as 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 a full field. Whether and when The Sentry returns remains open – but one thing is certain: 2026 will be quiet in Kapalua.