We're barely a month into the 2026 PGA Tour season and there's already enough going on to fill a full year. A cancelled tournament in Hawaii, the world's best player picking up right where he left off, a former LIV defector coming home, and a 44-year-old Englishman reminding everyone he can still play. Let's break it down.
The Sentry Gets Cancelled — and Hawaii's Future Is Uncertain
The season was supposed to start at Kapalua's Plantation Course with The Sentry. Instead, the tournament was cancelled outright due to course conditions tied to Maui's ongoing water distribution crisis. The course reopened to the public in November after months of issues, but couldn't get tournament-ready in time.
This isn't just a scheduling inconvenience. The water situation on Maui has led to litigation and raised real questions about whether Hawaii can continue hosting PGA Tour events. If the issue isn't resolved, the Hawaiian swing — a tradition that's been part of the Tour calendar for decades — could disappear.
Scheffler Wins His 20th. In His First Start.
Scottie Scheffler opened his 2026 season at The American Express and did exactly what Scottie Scheffler does — he won. By four shots. At 27-under, firing rounds of 63-64-68-66.
The numbers around this win are staggering. It's his 20th PGA Tour victory, all coming in a four-year span. He's now past $100 million in career earnings. Only Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus reached 20 Tour wins faster. He's 29 years old.
At this point, the conversation around Scheffler isn't whether he's the best player in the world — that's settled. The real question is how his career stacks up historically when it's all said and done. He's on a trajectory that only two names in golf history can match. If he stays healthy, the records are in play.
Koepka Comes Home — and the Crowd Loved It
The biggest storyline of January might be Brooks Koepka's return to the PGA Tour. The five-time major champion left LIV Golf in December and re-entered via the Tour's new Returning Member Program, which was essentially created for situations exactly like his.
The terms aren't cheap. Koepka can't play signature events unless he qualifies. He won't receive FedExCup bonus money in 2026 and is ineligible for the Player Equity Program for five years, potentially leaving $50-85 million on the table. He also agreed to a $5 million charitable contribution. That's a hefty price tag for a return ticket.
But watching his first round at the Farmers Insurance Open, it was clear this isn't about money. Koepka carded a 1-over 73 on Torrey Pines South — not his sharpest day — but the reception told the story. "Welcome back, Brooksy!" rang out on nearly every hole. He followed it with a 68 on Friday to make the cut on the number.
"I think I've fallen back in love with the game," Koepka said. "Honestly, watching my son play a little bit and wanting to be able to see him watch me."
He's committed to the WM Phoenix Open next week. And with Patrick Reed also announcing his departure from LIV, Koepka may be the first of several to make the jump back.
Justin Rose Turns Back the Clock at Torrey Pines
While the Koepka storyline grabbed headlines, Justin Rose quietly went out and shot a 10-under 62 on Torrey Pines North to lead the Farmers Insurance Open after Round 1. He's 44 years old.
Rose has always had the game for Torrey Pines — he won the 2013 U.S. Open on the South Course. But a 62 in a field that includes Schauffele, Matsuyama, and Koepka is a reminder that Rose still belongs. Max Greyserman and Hideki Matsuyama sit at 8-under, with Xander Schauffele — the hometown favorite making his own season debut — still lurking.
What to Watch Going Forward
The early season has set up several threads worth following:
- Scheffler's dominance. Can anyone mount a serious challenge this year, or is this another coronation season?
- Koepka's reintegration. How competitive will he be week to week? And will more LIV players follow his lead?
- The Hawaiian question. Will the water crisis force the Tour to permanently relocate its traditional January events?
- Schauffele's home game. The two-time major champion still hasn't won at Torrey Pines in nine starts. This would be the year to change that.
It's January, and the 2026 season already has more storylines than most years produce by the Masters. Buckle up.