Sony Open in Hawaii to kick off the 2026 PGA TOUR Season on Jan. 15 in Honolulu
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – After assessing a variety of options, the PGA TOUR announced Wednesday that The Sentry will not be contested in 2026. The Sony Open in Hawaii (Jan. 12-18) at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, will serve as the opening event of the 2026 PGA TOUR schedule and the 20th season of the FedExCup.
“Since it first became a possibility that the PGA TOUR would not be able to play at The Plantation Course at Kapalua due to the ongoing drought conditions on Maui, we worked closely with our partners at Sentry to assess options for contesting The Sentry in 2026,” said PGA TOUR Chief Competitions Officer Tyler Dennis. “While it is unfortunate to arrive at this decision, we are appreciative of the collaboration and dedication from Sentry Insurance, a tremendous partner of ours.”
On September 16, the TOUR announced that due to ongoing drought conditions on Maui, water conservation requirements, agronomic conditions and logistical challenges, The Plantation Course at Kapalua would not be able to host The Sentry in 2026. After assessing alternate venues in Hawaii and beyond, the TOUR determined it would not be able to contest The Sentry in 2026 because of logistical challenges—including shipping deadlines, tournament infrastructure and vendor support.
The PGA TOUR remains in communication with Hawaii Governor Josh Green and respective local stakeholders as the PGA TOUR gears up to open its 2026 season in Hawaii. Both the PGA TOUR and PGA TOUR Champions will open their 2026 seasons in Hawaii with the Sony Open in Hawaii (Jan. 12-18) at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, and the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai (Jan. 22-24) at Hualalai Golf Club on the Big Island.
“The Sentry is a jewel in the PGA TOUR schedule” said Stephanie Smith, Chief Marketing and Brand Officer, Chief Golf Partnership Officer at Sentry. “We were determined to find a way to play a signature level event in 2026 – one that honored the tournament’s tradition and provided the quality of competition that players and fans have come to expect. Despite the TOUR’s best efforts, it became impossible to do that. Sentry is committed to our long-term relationship with the TOUR – which runs through 2035 – and The Sentry’s place as a prominent event. While 2026 will not turn out as we would have liked, we’re optimistic about the future.”
Since 2018, Sentry has served as title sponsor of The Sentry, the TOUR’s season opening event from 1986-2013, and since 2024 when the TOUR returned to a calendar-year schedule.
“We are appreciative of the PGA TOUR’s thorough effort and communication throughout this process,” said Governor Green. “Though we’re disappointed The Sentry will not be contested in 2026, we are excited that the beauty and Aloha Spirit of the islands will be showcased to fans around the world at the Sony Open in Hawai‘i and with the PGA TOUR Champions event at Hualālai. On behalf of our communities, we are grateful to Sentry Insurance for their continued support and partnership.”
Eligibility for The Sentry field features the top 50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup standings, as well as winners of PGA TOUR events from the preceding calendar year. Players eligible for The Sentry in 2026 via a tournament win, but who were not among the top 50 finishers from the prior season’s FedExCup standings, will have access to another Signature Event in 2026, with those players being added to the RBC Heritage field.
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By showcasing golf’s greatest players, the PGA TOUR engages, inspires and positively impacts our fans, partners and communities worldwide.
The PGA TOUR, headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, co-sanctions events on the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, PGA TOUR Americas and administers PGA TOUR Q-School presented by Korn Ferry and PGA TOUR University. PGA TOUR members represent the world’s best players, hailing from 28 countries and territories. Showcasing the biggest moments in the sport with history and legacy on the line, the PGA TOUR has long-term domestic distribution partnerships for broadcast coverage on CBS, NBC and Golf Channel and video streaming service on ESPN+. Internationally, the PGA TOUR Studios-produced World Feed is available across 200+ countries and territories in 30 languages via 39 broadcast and digital partners. To date, events across all Tours have generated more than $4 billion in charitable giving.
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About Sentry
Sentry Insurance is one of the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance groups in the United States, holding a Financial Strength Rating of A+ (superior) from AM Best, current as of June 2025. See ambest.com/ratings/guide.pdf for rating information. Sentry and its subsidiaries sell property and casualty insurance, life insurance, annuities and retirement programs for business and individuals throughout the country. Headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Sentry employs more than 6,000 associates across the country. See a complete list of underwriting companies at sentry.com.