Michael Kim reacts as the PGA Tour announce The Sentry will not be played at Kapalua next year

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The PGA Tour has confirmed that The Sentry will not be played at The Plantation Course at Kapalua in 2026.

The decision regarding the opening Signature Event of the new season has been made due to ongoing drought conditions on the island of Maui.

Water conservation mandates have been implemented, with the PGA Tour’s agronomy team having conducted a visit to the site earlier this month to assess the situation.

New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has since spoken with Hawaii Governor Josh Green, M.D. to discuss the decision, which has now been announced.

Details of the new venue will be confirmed soon, with The Sentry currently scheduled for January 5-11 in the 2026 PGA Tour calendar.

Michael Kim reacts after The Sentry is moved from Kapalua

Even with improved weather conditions, The Sentry will not be played at Kapalua at the beginning of the new season.

Confirming the decision, the PGA Tour posted on X: “The Sentry will not be contested at The Plantation Course at Kapalua in 2026.”

READ MORE: Michael Kim says what the pace of play was like at Wentworth compared to the PGA Tour

Among those reacting to the news was one-time PGA Tour winner Michael Kim, who triumphed at the John Deere Classic in 2018.

“Was really looking forward to going back next year,” he wrote on X. “Hopefully the tour can find somewhere soon and on the west coast so I can also play Sony.”

The Sentry continues PGA Tour trend with remarkable stat

There are indeed two other PGA Tour-sanctioned tournaments that are hosted in Hawaii annually.

Waialae Country Club in Honolulu hosts the Sony Open in Hawaii, while the Big Island at Hualalai Golf Club hosts the Mitsubishi Electric Championship on the PGA Tour Champions.

But The Sentry is undoubtedly the event to mark on the calendar, having kicked off the PGA Tour from 1986 to 2013, and again from 2024.

The Signature Event features the top 50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup standings, and PGA Tour winners from the preceding calendar year.

It’s been hosted by The Plantation Course at Kapalua since 1999, and has welcomed many iconic and high-profile players over the years.

Hideki Matsuyama stormed to a stunning victory last time out, finishing on 35-under to secure his 11th PGA Tour win.

The Sentry also maintained its status as the clear home of the longest drives in 2025, as suggested by the PGA Tour stats.

Nine of the 10 longest drives of the season took place at the tournament, remarkably all of which were on hole six in round four.