Should the PGA Tour cancel the Hawaii swing?

Each week, we ask our panel of writers, PGA members and golf industry experts to weigh in with their views on the hot topics of the day.

The PGA Tour has cancelled the 2026 Sentry, their traditional first event of the season in Hawaii, due to earlier drought conditions that left the course in poor shape. There’s speculation that this could be a permanent stoppage, which throws the two-event Hawaii swing in doubt moving forward. What are your thoughts on losing the Hawaii tournaments and starting the season two weeks later?

Jim Deeks, Fairways Magazine (@jimdeeks): It would be a shame if the Tour lost both Hawaii events.  I must admit, it’s nice to watch golf from Hawaii during a snowstorm in Ontario.  And I still consider the Hawaii events to be the opening of the PGA Tour season.  But the use of water on golf courses is going to be a bigger and bigger issue going forward, so somehow, we’re going to have to adapt to browner conditions.

Craig Loughry, Golf Ontario (@craigloughry): There was a time I looked forward to that January start in Hawaii, but now there are just so many events, it’s pretty much just another stop on Tour. I’m not sure how much it will be missed by the masses. I still believe the vast majority of golf fans (casual to hard core) only park time for the Majors, otherwise they would rather be playing (if they can).

Michael Schurman, Master Professional / Hall of Fame Member, PGA of Canada: Most of the field went to play two events because of the distance and expense; will they go to play one? Sentry has struggled for years because the field was small. Hawaii itself is difficult due to the time change and the NFL broadcast.  The TOUR should end in the fall with the playoffs, then resume the week before the Super Bowl in Hawaii with the Sentry, followed by a Match Play in Hawaii that ends on the Saturday before the Super Bowl.

TJ Rule, Golf Away Tours (@GolfAwayTJ): I love the start of the year in Hawaii, it’s always fun to watch golf in that part of the world as we struggle through the dog days of our winter!  And I think it’s great to reward tournament winners with a tournament of Champions, although the format has changed a bit.  But it’s a great way to start the year, so I for one hope it returns next year.

Hal Quinn, Freelance Writer, Vancouver: Losing a laffer ain’t bad. That whole swing was based on no one caring about the NFL and NBA. Them days are long gone. They originally flouted holidays with the family — oh, my! We got to go to Hawaii! — until they all started making millions and a Hawaiian vacation was at the bottom of the family wish list. Having played a lot of rounds there, agree with Mickelson (the only time) that the ridiculous winds and green grains made almost every course unplayable. Time to end another Tour dinosaur.

Peter Mumford, Fairways Magazine (@FairwaysMag): Kapalua has become a bit of a farce the last few years with winning scores 30 or more under par but the concept of watching golf on a tropical island in the middle of winter is pretty compelling. The field for the Sony Open the following week is not the strongest and I’m ok with that too. The Tour appears to want all the same “best” players every week in limited field events, while I’m a proponent of larger fields with a Friday cut and the opportunity for an unknown to generate a life-changing outcome. The Hawaii Swing offers a difference. I hope it stays on the schedule.

TGL announced some changes last week that included a larger green with more hole locations and an upgrade to a number of featured holes. This will be good news to avid fans of the simulator league but probably of no interest to anyone else. After last season, would you classify yourself as an avid or casual fan? What could the league do to capture your interest?

Deeks: I would classify myself as a complete non-fan.  I watched two of these TGL events, couldn’t understand the format, was put off by the throbbing music and phoney camaraderie of the players, and vowed never to watch again. So, there’s basically nothing the league could do to capture my interest.

Loughry: I’m a very casual fan at this point of the TGL. I’m not sure the technology is perfected, we saw some very wonky shots, I don’t believe for a second were due to the player (one in particular where Tiger hit a SW 20 yards over the green). I’m certain that was a technical glitch, not Tiger.

Schurman: I’m not a fan. I dislike ‘spin-offs’ of any kind and most sequels too.

Rule: Very very casual.  I watched a few highlights but never tuned in live.  I’m not sure anything could turn me into a legitimate fan; there’s enough real golf to watch throughout the year to keep me entertained.  There aren’t enough “characters” in the game to make it entertaining from a personality standpoint.  Golf into a screen isn’t in itself entertaining enough.  But unless you can turn Nate Bergatze into a tour quality golfer, I’m not sure it will ever be that fun to watch.

Quinn: Never understood the mass frenzy that accompanied televised video game championships. Shut ins, unite! So, still can’t fathom anyone paying after-tax dollars to watch (albeit skilled) guys play a video game. Hopefully, this ill-conceived money grab dies a quiet and unlamented demise. Of course, all the celeb investors will get a write off.

Mumford: I’m a casual fan. I’m intrigued with the technology, and the player interaction is ok. Certainly, better than any of the other made-for-TV events. We could do without most of the hosts and their incessant chatter, the player intros and all the shots of NFL owners and their entourages. The “press” rule needs to be changed so that any team can press anytime they’re down, not just when it’s their turn. And the schedule needs to be more consistent. Some weeks it’s on Monday, other weeks on Tuesday and some weeks there are no events or multiple events.

On Sunday, Michael Brennan won the Bank of Utah Championship, thereby earning a two-year exemption on the PGA Tour. Brennan was in the field on a sponsor’s exemption after winning the PGA Tour Americas money title and a spot on the Korn Ferry Tour for 2026. Now he can skip the Korn Ferry Tour and advance straight to the big leagues. However, this kind of Cinderella story is becoming more rare as the Tour looks to reduce fields, eliminate Friday cuts and focus on elite players. Are you happy with the way the Tour is proceeding?

Deeks: On a “moral” level, no, I’m not happy.  I think the Tour has been pretty good and consistent in giving young, up-and-coming players a system to reach for the top.  But from a practical point-of-view, do I follow or pay attention to young, up-and-coming players BEFORE they reach the top?  No, I don’t. I follow the guys who’ve made it. Nonetheless, if there will be fewer up-and-comers, it might get a bit boring watching the same old top 50 week-in, week-out.

Loughry: I don’t like how the Tour is proceeding (making it a longer journey for a young/good player to make it to the PGA Tour (big circuit). There are fewer spots/cards and limited fields, it simply caters to the few elite players.  Who doesn’t like a Cinderella story in sport? Removing those opportunities is the wrong path to take in my opinion.

Schurman: They say the “School of hard knocks provides a good education”. The new CEO, Brian Rollap, could be in for some. Technology in equipment and golf maintenance has changed the way golf is played, but the culture is moving much more slowly. The tour plays 3 or 4 ‘swings’ from west to east, south to north, and back south, which is no longer necessary since players don’t share a carload to save on expenses. YouTube is gaining in popularity over TV; aging fans can’t get the 2 miles from the parking lot and walk around an event all day. Tour winnings are so high that players no longer enjoy 12- to 15-year careers, because they can earn enough in 3 or 4 years and then coast. And, then there is the question of international growth, the DP TOUR and LIV. Players want to travel less and earn more. Historical attractions like the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup, as well as small-market events, are under pressure to pay performers more. At the same time, noxious fans are undermining organizers’ ability to coordinate a safe, enjoyable event. Also, what about the Champions Tour? How long will sponsors accept lesser-known players winning? TV; we’re moving now to our regularly scheduled program with 3 holes remaining. Maybe Tiger will revitalize this tour as he did the PGA TOUR.

Rule: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love a good Cinderella story, and they are few and far between these days.  PGA Tour events are more interesting when you either have a superstar that others are chasing, or an underdog chasing a life changing moment.  I hope they move back to that model and allow this type of story to occur more often.  It’s crazy that, even playing mostly on a third-tier tour, Brennan is in the top 50 ranked golfers in the world now.  That’s an impressive year.

Quinn: The only thing that would capture a moment’s interest in TGL would be an announcement of its folding. The latest changes are cartoonish, just like Norman’s opening pronouncements on LIV. RIP TGL.

Mumford: One of the best things about the PGA Tour is its variety. Small fields with no cut, large fields with Friday drama and four – JUST 4 – majors. The idea of making every week the same works for the NFL but golf can’t be turned into a cookie cutter product. It would lose too much of its spontaneity and unpredictability. Watching Rory vs Scottie is good but every week? Not so much. Stories like Michael Brennan’s are inspirational and give the Tour character and depth. It would be a shame to lose that.