Golf commentator suggests PGA Tour may take unprecedented action with $20m event
NBC and Golf Channel analyst Mark Rolfing has suggested the PGA Tour may be forced into cancelling The Sentry in 2026 as time is running out to find a suitable replacement.
NBC and Golf Channel analyst Mark Rolfing has suggested the PGA Tour may take the unprecedented step of cancelling the season-opening Sentry in Hawaii.
The PGA Tour confirmed in September the $20m curtain-raiser is to be moved because drought conditions in Kapalua have made the Plantation Course unplayable.
It came after the PGA Tour's agronomy team visited the site and determined there simply wasn't enough time to get the course into a playable condition.
Stunning images have revealed just how bad the situation is.
Rolfing told The Fried Egg podcast that time is running out to find a suitable replacement.
"I don't think there is any scenario where the Sentry can be played in 2026," he said.
"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.”
Cancelling the tournament altogether would be an unprecedented move.
Last year, the PGA Tour was foced to move the Genesis Invitational from Riviera Country Club to Torrey Pines due to the wildfires that impacted the Los Angeles area.
The PGA Tour maintains that no final decision has been made.
Date | Tournament | Venue |
Jan. 8-11 | The Sentry | Plantation Course |
Jan. 15-18 | Sony Open in Hawaii | Waialae Country Club |
Jan. 22-25 | The American Express | Pete Dye Stadium Course |
Jan. 29-Feb. 1 | Farmers Insurance Open | Torrey Pines Golf Course |
Feb. 5-8 | WM Phoenix Open | TPC Scottsdale |
Feb. 12-15 | AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Pebble Beach Golf Links |
Feb. 19-22 | The Genesis Invitational | Riviera Country Club |
Feb. 26-March 1 | Cognizant Classic | PGA National Resort |
March 5-8 | Arnold Palmer Invitational | Bay Hill Club & Lodge |
March 5-8 | Puerto Rico Open | Grand Reserve GC |
March 12-15 | The Players Championship | TPC Sawgrass |
March 19-22 | Valspar Championship | Innisbrook Resort |
March 26-29 | Texas Children’s Houston Open | Memorial Park Golf Course |
April 2-5 | Valero Texas Open | TPC San Antonio |
April 9-12 | Masters Tournament | Augusta National Golf Club |
April 16-19 | RBC Heritage | Harbour Town Golf Links |
April 23-26 | Zurich Classic of New Orleans | TPC Louisiana |
April 30-May 3 | Miami Championship | Trump National Doral |
May 7-10 | Truist Championship | Quail Hollow Club |
May 7-10 | ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic | Dunes Golf and Beach Club |
May 14-17 | PGA Championship | Aronimink Golf Club |
May 21-24 | The CJ Cup Byron Nelson | TPC Craig Ranch |
May 28-31 | Charles Schwab Challenge | Colonial Country Club |
June 4-7 | Memorial Tournament | Muirfield Village Golf Club |
June 11-14 | RBC Canadian Open | TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley |
June 18-21 | U.S. Open | Shinnecock Hills Golf Club |
June 25-28 | Travelers Championship | TPC River Highlands |
July 2-5 | John Deere Classic | TPC Deere Run |
July 9-12 | Genesis Scottish Open | The Renaissance Club |
July 9-12 | ISCO Championship | Hurstbourne Country Club |
July 16-19 | The Open Championship | Royal Birkdale Golf Club |
July 16-19 | Corales Puntacana Championship | Puntacana Resort & Club |
July 23-26 | 3M Open | TPC Twin Cities |
July 30-Aug. 2 | Rocket Classic | Detroit Golf Club |
Aug. 6-9 | Wyndham Championship | Sedgefield Country Club |
Aug. 13-16 | FedEx St. Jude Championship* | TPC Southwind |
Aug. 20-23 | BMW Championship* | Bellerive Country Club |
Aug. 27-30 | Tour Championship* | East Lake Golf Club |
PGA Tour chief executive makes first big move
Elsewhere, the PGA Tour's new chief executive Brian Rolapp has made his first big move.
Rolapp was announced as the new CEO in June and will replace current commissioner Jay Monahan.
Monahan will step away when his contract expires at the end of 2026 after nine years in the top job.
On Friday, Rolapp confirmed two new additions to the Tour's leadership team.
Like Rolapp, both have vast experience in the NFL.
Ben Smith joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
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