The PGA Tour is poised to break a six-decade tradition by scheduling no Hawaiian events for 2027, following the cancellation of this year's season opener, The Sentry, due to a water rights dispute.
"The PGA Tour plans to have no events in Hawaii for the first time in 63 years," a development confirmed after drought conditions forced the cancellation of The Sentry, originally set for January at the Plantation Course in Kapalua, Maui.
The tournament's demise stems from an unresolved water rights conflict between the course and a local company, leaving organizers without a viable alternative venue. This forced the season to commence less ceremoniously with the Sony Open in Honolulu on January 15th.
Traditionally, The Sentry and the Sony Open formed a two-week Hawaiian swing for golfers. However, the PGA Tour is now considering relocating the Sony Open to the Champions Tour, potentially pairing it with the existing Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai.
Sentry Insurance's sponsorship agreement extends to 2035. In response, PGA executives have reportedly explored transferring the title sponsorship to the event at Torrey Pines in San Diego, as the current partnership with Farmers Insurance is anticipated to conclude this year.
The Sentry, formerly the Tournament of Champions, has historically featured the previous season's winners and top FedEx Cup performers. Its cancellation marks a significant shift, ending an unbroken streak of PGA Tour events in Hawaii that began with the Sony Open's inception in 1965.
The Tour has indicated that further details regarding the 2027 schedule will be announced at a later date.