PGA Tour leaving Hawaii in 2027, ending a 56-year tournament streak
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The PGA Tour announced that it will not host an event in Hawaii during the 2027 season, ending the tournament that has been running in the Aloha State for 56 years. The change comes as the Tour and CEO Brian Rolapp teased a constantly revamped schedule starting next year.
The tour was forced to cancel The Sentry at the start of the 2026 campaign due to dying grass at the Plantation Course in Kapalua amid a local dispute with the company responsible for supplying water to the area.
Aerial view of the golf course over the ocean before the Sentry at The Plantation Course at Kapalua on December 31, 2023 in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii. (Photo: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR) (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR)
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With the cancellation of The Sentry, the Sony Open at Waialae Country on Oahu became the Tour’s season opener in ’26 and was won by Chris Gotterup. The event was in its final year of sponsorship, but the Tour shared that it was working to make the event the inaugural event of the PGA Tour Champions circuit.
Chris Gotterup of the United States celebrates with the trophy on the 18th green after his winning round at the Hawaii 2026 Sony Open at Waialae Country Club on January 18, 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo: Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
The Tour’s removal of The Sentry and the Sony Open eliminates what is now a traditional two-week period to start a new season on the island.
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The PGA Tour did not share further details about its 2027 schedule after announcing its departure from Hawaii, but it will need to find a new landing spot on the calendar as Sentry will reportedly sponsor the event through 2035. The logical stop would be Torrey Pines in San Diego, which checks the West Coast and great weather boxes, but the venue is also looking for a new sponsor as its deal with Farmers Insurance expires in 2026.
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A view of the 18th hole is seen during the final round of The Sentry at The Plantation Course at Kapalua on January 5, 2025 in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii. (Photo: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images) (Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
The tour’s decision not to start next season in Hawaii makes sense because there are many venues in the lower 48 states that are much easier to operate, but the departure would have a tremendous financial impact on the state.
Honolulu Star Advertiser The Sentry is estimated to have a $50 million annual impact on the community, while Sony Open generates an estimated $100 million in direct revenue annually and also provides an additional $1 million annually to Friends of Hawaii charities.
