PGA cancels 2026 Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawaii due to drought
Severe drought conditions in Hawaii forced the PGA Tour to cancel the 2026 Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Maui, scheduled for January 8–11. The course was left unplayable under water restrictions, marking the first cancellation at Kapalua since 1999.
Image credit: Stan Badz/PGA TOUR
The PGA Tour has canceled the 2026 Sentry Tournament of Champions, originally scheduled for January 8–11 at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii, due to severe drought and irrigation restrictions.
The event, which has opened the PGA season at Kapalua since 1999, will not be contested at the course for the first time since then.
According to U.S. Drought Monitor data, more than 68% of Hawaii and 93% of Maui County are affected by drought, with around 140 000 residents under water restrictions. These measures have limited irrigation of the Kapalua Plantation Course, leaving it below PGA Tour standards.
“Given the time-sensitive nature of course preparations and the uncertainty of weather conditions improving, proceeding with the tournament was not feasible,” the Tour said in its announcement.
The Sentry Tournament of Champions traditionally features winners from the previous PGA Tour season along with the top 50 players from the FedExCup standings.
Beyond its role as the season opener, the tournament is a major contributor to Maui’s economy. Estimates from PGA Tour reporting and ESPN place its economic impact at around USD 50 million annually, with hotels, restaurants, and service industries benefitting from the influx of players, visitors, and media.
Local officials and business owners are concerned about the cancellation’s impact, as West Maui continues recovery from the 2023 wildfires while also facing ongoing water shortages. The loss of one of the island’s most visible international sporting events adds economic pressure on a community already under strain.
While PGA tournaments have often been delayed by storms or heavy rain, a cancellation driven by drought and water restrictions is rare.
The PGA Tour has not yet announced whether the 2026 edition will be relocated or permanently rescheduled.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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