2026 Sentry Tournament Canceled Due to Maui Drought

The PGA Tour has made the decision to cancel its season-opening event, The Sentry, which was originally set for January 8-11, 2026. Scheduled to take place at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Maui, the tournament has been held there since 1999. However, due to ongoing drought conditions on the island, hosting the event without compromising local water conservation is deemed impossible.

Initially, there was hope for a temporary relocation, with the tour suggesting more details would follow. Yet, substantial challenges—including sponsor preferences, course availability, and logistical demands for a PGA Tour event during peak tourist time—rendered relocation unviable.

This cancellation was reached after collaborative discussions involving Sentry Insurance and Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green, highlighting a commitment to the local community’s water resources. Tyler Dennis, the PGA Tour's Chief Competitions Officer, expressed regret over the decision but acknowledged the support from partners such as Sentry Insurance.

The cancellation of The Sentry represents a rare change in the PGA Tour's calendar, which will now commence on January 15 with the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Hawaii, a non-signature event. Earlier this year, the Genesis Invitational also had to change venues due to wildfires in Los Angeles, successfully relocating to Torrey Pines in San Diego.

While the long-term future of The Sentry remains uncertain, the current contract between the sponsor and the PGA Tour extends until 2035. The event has historically been significant, featuring all past PGA Tour winners and the top 50 from the FedEx Cup. Hideki Matsuyama stands as the defending champion.

To adjust for the cancellation, players who did not finish in the top 50 of the FedEx Cup but won tournaments in 2025 can now qualify for the RBC Heritage, another signature event in April. The 2026 PGA Tour will have eight signature events instead of nine, introducing The Miami Championship at Trump National Doral's Blue Monster course in late April. The season will kick off with the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in the second week of February.

The Sentry has always been a fan-favorite tournament, providing primetime viewing on the East Coast and highlighting a beautiful tropical backdrop during winter, a time when many golf enthusiasts face cold weather. Its cancellation emphasizes the tour's dedication to environmental sustainability while ensuring that players maintain competitive chances throughout the 2026 season.