PGA Tour cancels 2026 opener after drought ruins Maui course, and no backup venue is found
The PGA Tour has been forced to cancel its 2026 season-opening event, The Sentry, after failing to secure an alternative venue to replace its traditional home at Maui’s drought-hit Plantation Course in Kapalua.
The cancellation marks the first time in decades that the PGA’s campaign will not begin with the celebrated event, which had become synonymous with the Hawaiian sunshine and the sport’s most elite field.
The tournament had been scheduled for 8–11 January, but worsening drought conditions rendered the Kapalua course unplayable, prompting organisers to seek a new site. Despite exploring potential replacements both within Hawaii and on the US mainland, the PGA Tour confirmed that “logistical challenges — including shipping deadlines, tournament infrastructure and vendor support —” made it impossible to relocate the event.
“After an extensive review of potential host venues, we’ve concluded that we cannot deliver The Sentry to the standard our players, partners and fans expect,” the PGA Tour said in a statement. “While this decision is deeply disappointing, it reflects the practical realities of organising a world-class tournament under challenging circumstances.”
The Tour added that the 2026 season will now begin a week later with the Sony Open, taking place from 15–18 January at Honolulu’s Waialae Country Club.
The Sentry had long been considered one of the PGA Tour’s most prestigious curtain-raisers, known for its limited, high-calibre field. The event typically features the top 50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup standings, along with all tournament winners from the prior season. Its cancellation means players will have one fewer early-season opportunity to earn points and prize money.
The decision ends a long run for the event in Maui, where it had been staged since relocating from California in 1999. It first became the PGA’s official season opener in 1986 and held that position until 2013. After a brief scheduling reshuffle, it reclaimed its slot in 2024, coinciding with the Tour’s return to a calendar-year format.
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Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who lifted the trophy in 2025, will now stand as the tournament’s most recent champion — at least until the PGA determines The Sentry’s long-term future.
The drought on Maui has created significant strain on the island’s infrastructure, with water shortages and environmental restrictions affecting both residential areas and tourism facilities. The Plantation Course, renowned for its sweeping ocean views and steep elevation changes, was hit particularly hard, forcing the event’s relocation efforts earlier this year.
Industry insiders say the logistical difficulties of moving an entire PGA event on short notice are formidable. Tournament infrastructure — including broadcast facilities, spectator stands, and player amenities — must be shipped to island venues months in advance, and the timeline simply proved too tight.
“It’s a reminder that even the world’s biggest sporting organisations can be humbled by nature,” said one golf analyst. “The PGA Tour prides itself on global reach and resilience, but Hawaii presents unique logistical challenges, and drought was one variable they couldn’t control.”
The cancellation also comes as the Tour faces mounting scrutiny over its calendar stability, following a turbulent few seasons marked by player defections, schedule reshuffles, and environmental concerns. For fans, the loss of the Maui opener is not just an administrative hiccup but an emotional one — The Sentry has long symbolised the fresh start of a new year in golf.
For now, the PGA Tour says it remains committed to returning The Sentry to Hawaii “when conditions allow.” Until then, the spotlight shifts to the Sony Open, which will now serve as the de facto season opener — and a reminder that even in golf, the weather can still call the shots.