In a surprising turn of events, the PGA Tour has officially cancelled its 2026 season-opening tournament, The Sentry, marking the first time in decades that the event will not take place.
The tournament, traditionally held at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Maui, has long served as the celebratory start to the PGA Tour year, featuring the previous season’s winners and some of the game’s biggest names. However, a combination of severe drought conditions, logistical challenges, and infrastructure issues forced organisers to make the difficult call to cancel the event.
Tour officials confirmed that extensive efforts were made to find an alternative venue, but timing and preparation constraints made relocation impossible. The PGA Tour emphasised that the decision was not taken lightly, citing both environmental and operational concerns that made hosting the event this year unfeasible.
With The Sentry off the calendar, the 2026 PGA Tour season will now begin with the Sony Open in Honolulu. This shift makes the Sony Open the first official tournament of the year, a change that is expected to draw a stronger field and increased global attention.
The cancellation is a significant blow to Maui’s local economy, which benefits heavily from the tourism and exposure generated by the event. The Sentry has long been one of Hawaii’s most high-profile sporting fixtures, attracting thousands of visitors and millions in broadcast viewership each year.
Players and fans alike have expressed disappointment, though many understand the necessity of the decision. The Tour has promised to explore options to bring the tournament back in future years, potentially at a new or modified venue better equipped to handle the growing demands of a signature event.
Despite the setback, officials remain optimistic that The Sentry will return stronger. For now, all eyes turn to Honolulu, where the 2026 PGA Tour season will officially tee off, marking the start of a new chapter in professional golf’s evolving landscape.
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