The PGA Tour is back in full swing to kick off 2025, as the world’s best golfers gather in Maui for the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Held annually at the picturesque Kapalua Plantation Course, this exclusive event features a whopping $20 million purse, with $3.6 million earmarked for the champion. The tournament’s unique eligibility criteria ensure a star-studded field, with only 2024 PGA Tour winners and top-50 finishers in last season’s FedEx Cup standings securing their spot in paradise.
Reigning Champion Chris Kirk Leads Stellar Field
Returning to defend his title is Chris Kirk, who put on a dazzling display in 2024 with rounds of 67-65-66-65 to finish at a staggering 29-under par. Kirk will face stiff competition from a loaded field that includes major champions, FedEx Cup contenders, and rising stars eager to make an early statement in the new season.
Notable Contenders and Scottie Scheffler’s Absence
Among the headliners teeing it up at Kapalua are Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Ludvig Åberg, Hideki Matsuyama, and Wyndham Clark. However, conspicuously absent from the field is three-time defending PGA Tour Player of the Year Scottie Scheffler, who withdrew due to a hand injury suffered in a freak accident involving broken glass on Christmas Day. Scheffler, the first player since Tiger Woods (2005-07) to claim the prestigious award three years running, is targeting a return at the American Express later in January.
Kapalua’s Stunning Stage and Tournament History
The Plantation Course at Kapalua, consistently ranked among the world’s top 100 courses, offers a breathtaking backdrop for the PGA Tour’s annual Hawaiian getaway. With its dramatic elevation changes, panoramic ocean views, and challenging layout, Kapalua has played host to this winners-only event since 1999. Past champions include a who’s who of golf greats:
- Tiger Woods (2000, 2005)
- Dustin Johnson (2013, 2018)
- Jordan Spieth (2016, 2023)
- Justin Thomas (2017, 2020)
How to Watch the Action on ESPN+
Golf fans can catch every shot from Kapalua on ESPN+ via the ESPN streaming hub. Coverage begins each day with featured groups and holes:
- Thursday: 12:30 p.m. ET
- Friday: 12:45 p.m. ET
- Saturday: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Sunday: 1:00 p.m. ET
“The Sentry Tournament of Champions is the ultimate reward for the players who have earned their way to Maui through exceptional play. To tee it up at Kapalua is an incredible honor and the perfect way to start the new year.”
– PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan (via press release)
As the PGA Tour’s 2025 lid-lifter, the Sentry Tournament of Champions offers a tantalizing preview of the season ahead. With a blend of established stars, up-and-comers, and a sprinkling of new faces, the chase for the FedEx Cup begins under the Hawaiian sun. Will Chris Kirk successfully defend his title, or will a new champion emerge from this elite field? Tune in to ESPN+ to find out and catch all the action from Maui!
