The PGA Tour’s season opener, The Sentry, has been officially cancelled due to severe drought conditions on the island of Maui. Last month, it was announced that Kapalua’s Plantation Course would be unable to host the event, and now it seems all attempts to find a new venue have been unsuccessful. As a result, the 2026 PGA Tour season will kick off with the Sony Open, as was revealed to players and other qualifying competitors on Wednesday.
Originally scheduled for January 8-11 at the stunning Kapalua Plantation Course, The Sentry had to be called off due to environmental concerns and the ongoing drought. A key issue was the water supply, with the official announcement stating: “Following discussions with the Governor’s office, as well as leadership from Sentry Insurance, Kapalua Resort and Maui County, the PGA TOUR has determined the 2026 playing of The Sentry will not be contested at The Plantation Course at Kapalua due to ongoing drought conditions, water conservation requirements, agronomic conditions and logistical challenges,” according to a statement from the TOUR.”
This decision marks the end of a 27-year tradition of hosting the tournament in Maui. Since 1999, The Plantation Course has been the home of The Sentry and has traditionally served as the calendar year opener for the Tour, attracting winners from the previous season along with many top-ranked players.
The 2026 PGA Tour is set to kick off on January 15 at a non-signature event. The Sony tournament, traditionally held at the Waialae Country Club in Hawaii, is facing challenges due to severe drought conditions in Maui County, leading to water restrictions across the island.
In response to these conditions, the Kapalua Resort has announced a two-month closure of both its Plantation and Bay courses starting in September. This move aims to preserve course conditions and adhere to local conservation measures.
Hawaii’s Governor, Josh Green, has endorsed this decision, highlighting the state’s priorities.
“We support the PGA TOUR’s decision, given the drought conditions Maui is facing. Protecting our water and supporting our communities come first. The Sentry has long showcased Maui’s beauty while giving back to local nonprofits, and we’re grateful to the TOUR, Sentry Insurance, Kapalua Resort and Maui County for their partnership,” stated Green.
Sentry Insurance, the title sponsor, also voiced their support. “We understand and support the PGA TOUR’s decision, given the challenges related to the ongoing drought,” said Chief Marketing and Brand Officer Stephanie Smith.
“We love Maui and the people who make the community such a special place. As we’ve said for years, Maui is a Sentry community not unlike our hometown of Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and that remains the case. Our communities are connected. We’ve built meaningful friendships throughout the island, and those relationships are bigger than the tournament.”
The 2026 PGA Tour has been revamped to include eight marquee events, down from nine. The first of these will be the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February.