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Golf
PGA Tour making significant change to start of next season
TL;DR
The PGA Tour will not hold its season-opening events in Hawaii starting in 2027, ending a long-standing tradition. The Sentry will not return, and the Sony Open may transition to a PGA Tour Champions event.
Key points
- PGA Tour will not hold season-opening events in Hawaii starting 2027
- The Sentry will not return; Sony Open may become a Champions event
- Logistical issues and water delivery problems prompted the change
HONOLULU, HAWAII - JANUARY 18: Chris Gotterup of the United States chips on the 18th green during the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii 2026 at Waialae Country Club on January 18, 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Changes are coming for the start of the PGA Tour season.
It has often been said that the PGA Tour should look to start up proper once the Super Bowl is over, the NFL dominates all attention until then, and they could lean right into that. We all know though that they begin play in January and typically do so in Hawaii. According to the Sports Business Journal this is coming to an end.
The PGA Tour has now officially decided not to hold its season-opening events ā The Sentry and Sony Open ā in Hawaii in 2027, according to people with knowledge of the plans.
The Sentry officially will not return in 2027, while Sports Business Journal learned on Monday that the tour is in the beginning phases of possibly transitioning the Sony Open to a PGA Tour Champions event, which would still give the tour a multi-event presence in the state.
The tour had played its season-opening tournament, The Sentry, at the Plantation Course at Kapalua dating to 1999, butĀ canceled the 2026 tournamentĀ due to water delivery issues on Maui. In its press release announcing that move, the tour mentioned the ālogistical complexities unique to staging a tournament on the island of Maui.ā It isnāt the only major sports league to leave Hawaii; the NFL nearly a decade ago moved the Pro Bowl to Orlando.
It is unclear if this is an issue related to Hawaii specifically, to reference the NFLās Pro Bowl leaving the area, or if the PGA Tour simply does not want to begin their season as early as they have in recent years. Brian Rolapp has overseen significant changes since taking over as CEO and it would appear that this is part of all of that.
We will see what happens in the future. Literally.
Q&A
Why is the PGA Tour moving its season-opening events from Hawaii?
The PGA Tour is moving its season-opening events due to logistical complexities and water delivery issues experienced in Maui.
What will happen to the Sony Open after 2027?
The Sony Open may transition to a PGA Tour Champions event, maintaining some presence in Hawaii.
When did the PGA Tour start holding its season-opening tournament in Hawaii?
The PGA Tour has held its season-opening tournament, The Sentry, in Hawaii since 1999.
