The PGA Tour has announced the cancellation of its 2026 season-opening tournament, The Sentry, due to severe drought conditions and water conservation issues on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Organizers were unable to secure a suitable alternative venue, marking the first tournament cancellation since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
As a result, the Sony Open in Honolulu will now open the 2026 PGA Tour season, scheduled for January 15–18—the latest start to a season since the tour’s formation in 1969. The Plantation Course at Kapalua, which has hosted The Sentry since 1999, has been impacted by water restrictions linked to an ongoing dispute over a century-old water delivery system, leading to the closure of two of its courses.
In a statement, the PGA Tour said it explored alternative locations both in Hawaii and elsewhere but determined that logistical challenges, including shipping deadlines, infrastructure needs, and vendor availability, made hosting the event impossible.
Stephanie Smith, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer at Sentry, expressed her disappointment but emphasized the importance of maintaining the event’s prestige. “I wanted Sentry to remain the jewel that it is,” she said. “When that couldn’t come together, I felt we didn’t have a choice.”
The Sentry has been the PGA Tour’s traditional season opener since 1999, with only one exception in 2001, when the season began in Australia. While Smith confirmed that the tour remains committed to bringing back The Sentry in the future, she acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding its return.
In 2025, Hideki Matsuyama claimed victory at The Sentry with a record-setting 35 under par, finishing three strokes ahead of Collin Morikawa.
