PGA Tour golf Hawaii golf The Sentry Sony Open PGA Tour Champions Brian Rolapp sports business golf schedule 2027 golf season

The PGA Tour is making sweeping changes to the start of its next season, ending a long-standing tradition of kicking off the year in Hawaii.

According to sources cited by the Sports Business Journal, the tour has officially decided to cancel its 2027 season-opening tournaments in the Aloha State. The Sentry, held at the Plantation Course at Kapalua since 1999, will not return, while the Sony Open is under consideration for transition to a PGA Tour Champions event.

This move follows the cancellation of The Sentry in 2026 due to water delivery issues on Maui, as noted in the tour’s official press release. The statement highlighted the “logistical complexities unique to staging a tournament on the island of Maui.”

Such challenges are not unprecedented in Hawaii’s sports landscape. Nearly a decade ago, the NFL relocated the Pro Bowl from Honolulu to Orlando, citing similar concerns.

Why the Change?

It remains unclear whether the PGA Tour’s decision stems from Hawaii-specific issues or broader strategic shifts under CEO Brian Rolapp. Since taking the helm, Rolapp has overseen significant changes across the tour, and this appears to be another step in that direction.

What’s Next for Hawaii Golf?

While The Sentry is definitively canceled for 2027, the future of the Sony Open hangs in the balance. Transitioning to a Champions event would maintain a PGA Tour presence in Hawaii, though in a different format. The tour has yet to confirm finalized plans.

Source: SB Nation
Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resigns as Trump's Labor Secretary Amid Misconduct Allegations
← Previous

Lori Chavez-DeRemer Resigns as Trump's Labor Secretary Amid Misconduct...

 Seth Meyers Jokes Trump’s Presidency Could End Like a ‘Willy Wonka’ Balloon
Next →

Seth Meyers Jokes Trump’s Presidency Could End Like a ‘Willy Wonka’ Ba...