PGA Tour Moves Season-Opening The Sentry From Kapalua in 2026 Because of Maui Drought
Tour cites water conservation requirements, agronomic damage and logistical challenges after agronomy inspection; officials to announce new site and timing later
The PGA Tour confirmed on Tuesday that The Sentry, its season-opening signature event, will not be contested at the Plantation Course at Kapalua on Maui for the 2026 season because of ongoing drought conditions, water-conservation requirements, agronomic damage and logistical challenges.
Tour officials and partners said the decision followed a September site inspection by the Tour’s agronomy team that found the Plantation Course had been severely impacted by drought. The statement from the PGA Tour said additional event information, including the new host site and timing, will be shared when appropriate.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp and Hawaii Governor Josh Green held a virtual meeting about the matter before the public announcement. Governor Green said in a statement that the state supports the Tour’s decision, citing the need to protect water supplies and support Maui communities. “Protecting our water and supporting our communities come first,” he said, while noting appreciation for the partnership among the Tour, Sentry Insurance, Kapalua Resort and Maui County.
Organizers also cited practical logistical issues that factored into the move, including shipping deadlines, vendor coordination and tournament infrastructure build-out. With The Sentry traditionally staged in January, officials said they determined conditions could improve but not quickly enough to resolve the problems before the next playing.
Kapalua Resort closed the Plantation Course in September for a two-month period intended to preserve the turf, but the situation was complicated when the Hawaii Water Commissioner and Maui Land & Power (MLP) enacted restrictions that effectively banned all course irrigation. State data show that more than 90 percent of the region has been affected by drought conditions this year, affecting roughly 140,000 residents on Maui.
Maui’s climate challenges come on the heels of the August 2023 wildfires that devastated parts of the island, including the resort town of Lāhainā. The infernos killed 102 people, destroyed nearly 3,000 buildings and burned more than 2,000 acres, and the island has continued to face environmental and infrastructure strains.
The Sentry, a signature event with a $20 million purse, has served as the PGA Tour’s season opener since 1986 and has been held at Kapalua since 1999. The tournament traditionally features the previous season’s winners and the top 50 players in the FedEx Cup standings. Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama won the event most recently, finishing 35-under-par to claim his 11th PGA Tour title.
Sentry Insurance, Kapalua Resort and Maui County were identified in the Tour’s release as participants in the discussions that led to the decision. The Tour’s statement reiterated that the choice was made following talks with the Governor’s office and other stakeholders and emphasized water conservation and agronomic realities as primary reasons for relocating the 2026 playing.
Officials did not provide a timetable for announcing the replacement venue or date. The Tour and its partners said they will provide further details when arrangements are finalized.