Shocking images show extent of devastation to iconic PGA Tour course
The PGA Tour were forced to move their season-opener in Hawaii.
Stunning images reveal how the golf course that annually hosts the PGA Tour's season-opener has been rendered barren by water restrictions.
The Plantation Course at the Kapalua resort on the Island of Maui has been hosting The Sentry, also known as the Tournament of Champions, since 1999.
But the North American circuit have been forced to move the 2026 curtain-raiser as the course is now completely unplayable owing to draught.
Water conservation mandates were implemented to prioritize the needs of the local community, which have directly affected the resort.
Those regulations were relaxed in August, sparking renewed hope the course could host the $20m tournament.
But in September, PGA officials confirmed The Sentry would not be contested there following a visit from the Tour's agronomy team.
Pictures posted over the weekend show the current state of the course:
Stopped by Kapalua today and the course looks totally dead. Can’t fathom how much business this water dispute is costing them. pic.twitter.com/N6OIkd3oQR
— Dan Back (@dan_back) October 7, 2025
What did the PGA Tour say?
A PGA Tour spokesperson said in September: "Maui County has been experiencing significant drought conditions in recent weeks, with over 90 per cent of the region affected and more than 140,000 residents impacted according to state data.
"In response, water conservation mandates were implemented to prioritize the needs of the local community.
"These restrictions directly affected Kapalua Resort, where the Tour's agronomy team conducted a site visit in early September.
"That team concluded the condition of the Plantation Course had been significantly compromised by the drought and water limitations.
"While weather conditions may improve in the coming months, the extensive lead time required to prepare a PGA Tour event made it impossible to guarantee Tour-standard playing conditions for the Jan. 5-11 event."
Where will the tournament be played instead?
The PGA Tour have not confirmed where the event will be played instead, insisting that "additional details" will be shared when available.
It's not inconceivable the Tour could decide to host two separate events on the same course.
In 2024, the Genesis Invitational was moved from Riviera Country Club to Torrey Pines' South Course due to heavy wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
The Farmers Insurance Open was also played at Torrey Pines.
Ben Smith joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
