HONOLULU (KHON2) — The PGA Tour has canceled its season-opening event, The Sentry.
This comes after the PGA pulled out of playing at the Kapalua Golf Course in Maui, citing water and drought issues.
Usually held in the first week of January, The Sentry has been held in Maui annually since 1999, making this year the first time in more than 20 years that the tournament will not be held there.
“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,” the PGA TOUR said in a statement.
This comes after Gov. Josh Green expressed interest in building on the tour’s relationship with the islands and trying to bring another tournament here.
“I spoke to the head of the PGA,” said Gov. Green. “We would love that, long term absolutely, we hope they will stay, they have given us the commitment they’re going to continue to invest in Maui and in philanthropy.”
Gov. Green said the estimated $50 million that the Sentry pumps into Hawaii’s economy is tremendous, with this past year alone, tournament officials said $747,704 went back into the Maui community.
The PGA said it was not able to find another location. The Sony Open in Honolulu will now serve as the PGA’s opening event.
The event will tee off at the Waialae Country Club on Oahu from Jan. 12 to Jan. 18.