Sentry Insurance signage is displayed between the Kapalua Plantation Course’s 10th and 13th fairways during the Sentry Tournament of Champions on Jan. 6. Next year’s tournament, now known as The Sentry, is set for Jan. 4-7 at Kapalua. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

It’s official, the PGA Tour season now begins on Maui.

The Kapalua Plantation Course will host The Sentry from Jan. 4-7, 2024, when the event becomes the start of the new calendar-year schedule unveiled Monday by the PGA Tour. The tour is returning to a calendar-year schedule for the first time since 2012.

The event has dropped “Tournament of Champions” from its name after a recent format change allowed the top 50 finishers in the FedEx Cup playoffs into the field, up from 30, along with event winners on tour from the previous calendar year.

The purse has also risen to $20 million, up from $15 million in 2023.

“I think first off yesterday’s announcement was a great day for PGA Tour golf fans all around the world, the return to a calendar-year season for the first time since 2012,” Max Novena, executive director of The Sentry, said Tuesday. “We’re now going to be able to showcase the best tour players competing together more frequently and delivering more consequence, more drama for our fans and we couldn’t be more excited that it all begins right here on Maui at The Sentry.”

Novena

The 2024 FedEx Cup regular season, consisting of 36 events, begins in January with the “Opening Drive,” the tour’s label for the Hawaii swing of The Sentry and Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, Jan. 11-14.

The Sentry is one of eight signature events (referred to as designated events in 2023).

“We are excited about the roll-out of the PGA Tour’s reimagined schedule and what the season will offer to our fans: a January start with stars competing head-to-head more often, alongside the weekly drama of life-altering moments and the emergence of new stars,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a news release emailed to The Maui News. “While winning on the PGA Tour continues to be the ultimate — and most difficult — challenge, we have further connected every tournament, with more at stake each week.

“From The Sentry through the FedExCup Playoffs and into the soon-to-be announced FedExCup Fall, this new cadence will create consistent excitement for our fans and reward players like never before. We are grateful to the membership — especially the Player Directors and Player Advisory Council — as well as our tournaments and partners for the collaboration that has set up an exciting 2024.”

Said Novena: “Opening Drive is not only huge for The Sentry, but also for the Sony Open in Hawaii, and we’re thrilled to hold the spot that’s akin to opening day in Major League Baseball or NFL Kickoff. As we know, this galvanizes communities, fans circle the date well in advance on their calendars and we’re really looking forward to celebrating this moment.”

The Sentry will likely have more than 50 golfers in its no-cut field — 31 players have won events so far this year and there will be eight more events to come in the fall after the three playoff tournaments are held. Several players currently in the top 50 on the playoff points list have not won an event this year.

The Sentry is expected to reveal some new features and ticket options next week.

“Right from the start, every single player starts with zero FedEx Cup points and certainly here on Maui at the Plantation Course at Kapalua we’re going to have one of the smallest yet competitive fields,” Novena said. “We’ve increased the purse from $15 million to $20 million and also 700 FedEx Cup points are going to be available to the winner.

“So, our event has always been a celebration for our players, their families and our community, but now the event has gotten bigger, it’s gotten more important and there’s more at stake right from the beginning.”

Sentry Insurance has been a steadfast sponsor of this event from the get-go when it signed on for the 2018 tournament and is now committed through 2035.

“The future of The Sentry couldn’t be brighter, we’re looking to continue to build, make it bigger and better,” Novena said. “We have one of the best partners on the PGA Tour in Sentry Insurance helping us lead the way.”

Novena is excited for the turn of the calendar in a little less than five months.

“It’s going to be an incredible field, no doubt,” he said. “I think for fans at home and especially on the Mainland — primetime golf viewing with continued innovations on the broadcast — and then for our fans here on island, a totally reimagined fan experience.

“We’re really excited about hitting all of the high notes. Not only giving people the opportunity to see the best PGA Tour golfers in the world at an incredible venue in the Plantation Course at Kapalua, but also a cultural experience that celebrates the island, that celebrates the aloha spirit.”

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.

Sentry Insurance signage is displayed between the Kapalua Plantation Course’s 10th and 13th fairways during the Sentry Tournament of Champions on Jan. 6. Next year’s tournament, now known as The Sentry, is set for Jan. 4-7 at Kapalua. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo Novena

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