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.
A long-standing fixture on the calendar, The Sentry at Kapalua Resort has been removed from the schedule for 2026 by the PGA Tour. The reasons lie quite literally in the ground—or more precisely, the lack of water. The ongoing drought on Maui, combined with irrigation restrictions and numerous logistical challenges, led to the decision not to hold the tournament. This ends the PGA Tour’s traditional season kickoff at a course known since 1999 for spectacular drives and stunning Pacific backdrops.
Water Shut Off – Course Conditions Not Suitable for PGA Tour
As early as August 2025, it was clear the Plantation Course was facing serious issues. Water supply was almost completely cut off, and both courses in Kapalua had to close. Even after partial easing of restrictions, water amounts remained too limited to restore the course to its usual condition. The PGA Tour sent its agronomy teams to assess, but the verdict was clear: no tournament could start under these conditions. Alternatives were considered, but transport, infrastructure, and scheduling quickly made relocation 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 the ideas is shifting the season start to February to reduce competition with the NFL and improve focus. Tiger Woods heads the commission crafting proposals for a modernized structure; no decisions have been made yet.
Instead of The Sentry, the Sony Open in Honolulu will now take the season opener spot, played from January 15 at Waialae Country Club. For the PGA Tour, this is more than a small calendar change — The Sentry has long been the tournament where the previous year’s winner and top-50 players welcomed the new year in a relaxed atmosphere. Now the season begins with the first full field. Whether and when The Sentry will return remains open—one thing is certain: 2026 will be quiet in Kapalua.