The PGA Tour is finally killing the Hawaii swing. For decades, fans watched the season start with palm trees and sleepy fields at Kapalua. That era ends now. According to MyGolfSpy, the Tour will no longer open the year in Hawaii. The Sentry moves 2,500 miles east to Torrey Pines for the 2028 season. This shift marks the end of a tradition that felt nice but lacked energy. Beginning Jan. 21-24 in the California desert, the new plan launches the season with The American Express. It is a bold move that prioritizes viewership over vacation vibes.
Two Tiers Replace the Old Way
The entire structure is getting a total overhaul. MyGolfSpy reports that the Tour is set for two formalized tiers starting in 2028. The Championship Series will hold the big dogs. The Challenger Series will be for players fighting to make the show. There will be virtually no crossover between these two groups. Persimmon drivers are becoming obsolete just as Traditional sponsor exemptions are fading away. This creates a closed loop where only the best get to play the best events. It is a radical departure from the open system golfers have known for years. The old FedEx Cup will likely vanish too since the contract ends in 2027. A two-event match-play tournament will close the new season at courses rarely seen on TV.
The Sony Open is moving to a Champions Tour event. This leaves the PGA Tour without a stop in Hawaii entirely. The shift to California desert golf ensures the season starts with energy instead of a slow warm-up. Nine events are already locked in for the Championship Series. The Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Memorial Tournament are confirmed. The RBC Heritage and Travelers Championship will also be part of the new elite tier. Sompo, a Japanese financial services company, sponsors a TBD event that also appears on the list. The Tour is building a fortress around its top players. The rest of the field will have to fight harder just to get a look at the big stages. This is the last normal season before the gates close for good. The 2028 campaign will be a different game entirely.
