The Sony Open in Hawaii carried a bittersweet tone, with players sensing it might be their last amid the PGA Tour's planned schedule revamp for 2027. Consecutive events like The American Express share similar anxieties, as the tour prioritizes signature events and competes with the NFL for attention. Historic tournaments risk relocation or elimination, stirring nostalgia among veterans.
Palm trees link the ocean-side Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu and the desert-mountain setting of The American Express at PGA West in La Quinta, California, but both now share an uncertain future on the PGA Tour calendar.
Chris Gotterup claimed a two-shot victory at the Sony Open, quipping, “Hopefully, I'm not the last champion,” capturing the event's farewell vibe. The preceding Sentry tournament at Kapalua was canceled due to a Maui water dispute entangled in lawsuits likely unresolved until 2027, after the Future Competition Committee finalizes the new schedule. Sentry's sponsorship runs through 2035 and may shift elsewhere, while Farmers Insurance concludes its title role at Torrey Pines this year—a fixture since 1952 and at its current venue since 1968.
Players expressed disappointment. Tom Hoge, practicing at PGA West, said, “It definitely felt like last week was the last time in Hawaii... I’m going to miss those trips.” Adam Scott, debuting at The American Express, laughed, “Maybe the last time.” From Dubai, Tommy Fleetwood echoed, “Where the schedule goes and where the tour goes, I don’t know.”
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp envisions significant changes, including a possible post-Super Bowl start, emphasizing scarcity, simplicity, and parity. He noted, “Competing with football in this country for media dollars and attention is a really hard thing to do.” Rumors swirl of a 20-tournament season for top players with strong fields and large purses, potentially sidelining non-signature events.
Matt Kuchar reflected, “There’s certainly been talk about Hawaii events going away. This could be the last year for the Sony Open... That’s a real shame.” Sony's sponsorship ended but is poised to renew pending 2027 details, while American Express extends through 2028, having revitalized the event—formerly the Bob Hope Classic, dating to 1960 with early wins by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus.
Harris English, in his 15th season, wondered about return visits: “What if this is my last time playing The American Express, or my last time playing Torrey Pines?” He has played the Sony Open 13 times and feels like a local. As a 2012 rookie, he competed in 27 events; five have since vanished. Players, now equity owners, accept change but cherish traditions. The tour evaluates market size, crowds, and value, adding fall events including Mexico, heightening the mystery of what survives.
