Imagine a PGA Tour season without its traditional opening event - a scenario that's becoming increasingly likely. The Sentry tournament, which has been a staple of the tour's calendar for years, is facing an uncertain future due to severe watering issues at the Kapalua Resort on Maui, Hawaii. With the 2026 season fast approaching, the PGA Tour is scrambling to find a new location for the event, but time is running out. According to longtime NBC and Golf Channel analyst Mark Rolfing, who has been closely associated with the tournament, the chances of finding a suitable replacement venue are slim to none. But here's where it gets controversial - should the PGA Tour prioritize finding a new location for the 2026 event, or should they focus on ensuring the long-term health of the tournament in Hawaii? Rolfing, who has served as a quasi-ambassador for the tournament, believes that the latter is the more pressing concern. Speaking on the Fried Egg Golf podcast, Rolfing stated, 'I don't think there is any scenario where the Sentry can be played in 2026. There's all these conversations about why couldn't we play somewhere else. The schedule is basically full. We're 85 days away from the start of the tournament. It's just too late. There's just no time for planning.' The Tournament of Champions, as it was previously known, has been held at the Kapalua Resort's Plantation Course since 1999, bringing together PGA Tour winners from the previous year, as well as those who finished among the top 50 in the final FedEx Cup standings. The event is a $20 million Signature event, making it a significant part of the tour's calendar. The PGA Tour announced on September 17 that the event would not be played at Kapalua due to ongoing drought conditions and a water dispute with local authorities. While the Tour has stated that no final decision has been made, Rolfing's comments suggest that cancelling the January 8-11 event is a very real possibility. And this is the part most people miss - the logistical challenges of hosting a PGA Tour event are significant, especially in early January. The Tour would need to find a venue that can accommodate the event, which is no easy task. As Rolfing noted, 'We understand what happened, and we need to really start thinking about 2027 for the Sentry and for the Sony Open [played a week later]. Those two are joined at the hip in a way. And how do we overcome the issues that are starting to magnify themselves that are going to make it more complicated for Hawaii.' The issues Rolfing is referring to are the significant challenges facing professional golf in Hawaii, which has seen the number of tournaments pared down from over 10 to just four. So, what do you think - should the PGA Tour prioritize finding a new location for the 2026 Sentry tournament, or should they focus on ensuring the long-term health of the event in Hawaii? Share your thoughts in the comments below. One thing is certain - the future of the Sentry tournament is uncertain, and the PGA Tour has some tough decisions to make. As the clock ticks down to the start of the 2026 season, one thing is clear - the PGA Tour needs to act fast to ensure the future of this beloved event.
