Hawaii’s run as the PGA Tour’s traditional season opener is over.
The PGA Tour confirmed that its two Hawaii events, The Sentry at Kapalua and the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, will not be included in the 2027 tour schedule.
The Plantation Course at Kapalua had been the host site of The Sentry since 1999. In September 2025, the resort closed both courses for 60 days after receiving no water since July 25, due to drought conditions and water restrictions that left the turf on the brink of death. At the center of the water dispute: Tadashi Yanai, the founder of Uniqlo and owner of Kapalua Resort, and Steve Case, co-founder of AOL and majority owner of Maui Land & Pineapple, whose company controls the Honokohau Ditch system that supplies water to the resort.
RELATED: Rory McIlroy Says PGA Tour’s Two-Track Schedule Will Produce ‘Glorified Korn Ferry’ Events
Severe drought on Maui forced the cancellation of The Sentry in January 2026. The Sony Open went on as scheduled at Waialae, but that tournament marked the final year of Sony’s sponsorship.
The PGA Tour’s new CEO Brian Rolapp has consistently spoken of a shorter schedule that avoids January tournaments, which compete against the NFL for viewership. Rolapp, who previously worked for the NFL, wants the Tour schedule to eventually start after the Super Bowl in early February.
RELATED: ‘Terrible Idea’: Major Champ Says LIV Players Should Start Over on Korn Ferry Tour
The two events represent more than $150 million in annual visitor industry revenue for Hawaii. The Kapalua event alone carried an estimated $50 million economic impact on Maui, while the Sony Open generated an estimated $100 million per year statewide.
