For the first time in almost 30 years, the PGA Tour will not start a new year in Kapalua.
The tour announced Tuesday that the Sentry, its opening match of the season which was planned from January 8 to 11, 2026, will not be played during the plantation of Kapalua Resort, which was compromised by Restrictions of drought and water in Maui, Hawaii.
“After discussions with the Governor’s office, as well as the leadership of Sentry Insurance, Kapalua Resort and the County of Maui, the PGA Tour determined that the game in 2026 of the sentry will not be disputed during the plantation of Kapalua because of the current tour, water conservation requirements, agronomic conditions and logistical challenges” in a declaration. “Additional information on the event will be shared if necessary.”
The two Kapalua courses are currently in 60 -day closures, which started on September 2, because the complex hoped that inactivity would increase its chances of saving the lawn and the tournament, which would bring about 50 million dollars in economic advantage for the area each year.
In the midst of the water conversation mandates, a legal action, filed in August by the owner of Kapalua, Tadashi Yanai and other inhabitants, accuses the company responsible for the region’s delivery system of the region, Maui Land & Pineapple, of not maintaining the centenary system. The CEO of MLP underlines the historic drought. All this, while the lush green fairways of Kapalua have been reduced in yellow and brown.
The tour, which saw its agronomy team take a visit to the site earlier this month, added that the “logistical complexities”, in particular shipping times, the coordination of suppliers and the construction of tournament infrastructure, contributed to the decision not to play Kapalua next year.
“We support the decision of the PGA Tour, taking into account the drought conditions that Maui faces,” said Hawaii governor Josh Green. “Protecting our water and supporting our communities comes first. The Sentinel has long presented the beauty of Maui while giving local non -profit organizations, and we are grateful to the tour, at Sentry Insurance, Kapalua Resort and Maui County for their partnership. ”
The tour has indicated that additional details on the Sentinel game, which is offered to 2025 winners and those who end among the 50 best points in Fedexcup, will be shared when available. This is the first of the nine signature events offering $ 20 million in handbags next season.
The last sentry to play elsewhere was the 1998 edition, then called the Mercedes Championships, which was challenged at Costa in Carlsbad, California, and won by Phil Mickelson by a Tiger Woods and Mark O’Meara shot. The Costa now hosts the NCAA championship.
