Ian Poulter sarcastically reacts as the PGA Tour scraps Kapalua event to start their season

Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images

The PGA Tour schedule is heading for big change from the 2027 season, which won’t start in Hawaii.

Ending its tournament presence in Maui, the PGA Tour will explore options to transition the Sony Open in Hawaii into a PGA Tour Champions event.

Held at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, the Sony Open served as this season’s opener and was won by Chris Gotterup.

Previously The Sentry had served as the season-opening tournament from 1999-2013 and 2024-2025, taking place at The Plantation Course at Kapalua.

The decision has since drawn a sarcastic reaction from former PGA Tour player Ian Poulter, who is currently competing on LIV Golf.

Ian Poulter sarcastically reacts as the PGA Tour scraps Kapalua event

Reacting to a report about the PGA Tour moving the start of its season from Hawaii and possibly making the Sony Open a PGA Tour Champions event, Poulter wrote on X: “Here comes the cost-cutting exercise from Private Equity funding.

“Next up you’ll tell us all something silly like the PGA Tour are going to lay off 500 members of staff.”

Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

Michael Kim, currently playing on the PGA Tour, also shared his reaction to the upcoming schedule change, simply posting a crying emoji on X.