The PGA Tour has confirmed that The Sentry – the season-opening tournament – will be moved for the 2026 season.
The Sentry has kick-started every year of the PGA Tour since 1999 and features all the PGA Tour winners in 2025 and the top 50 ranked players in the FedEx Cup.
However, due to ‘drought conditions and related challenges on the island of Maui’, it cannot be hosted in the traditional Kapalua Resort next year.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and Hawaii Governor Josh Green met – virtually – on Monday to discuss the decision, before the latter released his own statement.
Governor Green said: ‘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.’
The PGA Tour has confirmed that The Sentry will be moved for the 2026 season
Footage showed the worrying conditions at the Kapalua golf course ahead of the new season
It remains to be seen as to where – and when – the Tour will move The Sentry, which is a $20 million signature event for all the PGA Tour winners in 2025 and the top 50 in the FedEx Cup.
Furthermore, issues such as ‘shipping deadlines, vendor coordination and tournament infrastructure build-out’ were also listed as issues regarding the event.
The Tour’s agronomy took a trip to Maui in September and concluded that the condition of the Plantation Course had been severely impacted by drought conditions.
It’s understood that, while conditions could potentially improve, officials felt as though the January event would come too soon for organizers to sort out.
Maui has become known for it’s temperamental weather conditions that have, in recent years, made it difficult for tourists to visit.
In August 2023, six wildfires ripped through Hawaii’s island of Maui, including the resort town of Lāhainā, killing 102 people, destroying almost 3,000 buildings and burning more than 2,000 acres.
And, according to recent state data, over 90 per cent of the region has been affected by drought conditions this year. This includes roughly 140,000 residents on the island.
It remains to be seen as to where – and when – the Tour will move The Sentry for next year
The Sentry has long been the season-opening event in the PGA Tour calendar since 1986, while the Kapalua Resort has housed the tournament since 1999.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama clinched victory in the competition last year, after finishing 35-under and, in turn, collected his 11th PGA Tour title.
The PGA Tour’s official statement read: ‘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.
‘Additional event information will be shared when appropriate.’
