Honestly, if you were looking for a high-stakes showdown at Kapalua to kick off the new year, you probably noticed something felt... off. The usual fireworks at The Sentry didn't happen. In fact, the tournament didn't happen at all. Because of a severe, ongoing drought on Maui and some serious logistical headaches, the PGA Tour had to scrap its traditional lid-lifter for 2026.
So, if you are asking who won last week on pga tour, the answer is actually a bit of a trick question: nobody. The 2026 season officially hits the "on" switch today, January 15th, at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
But while the main tour was quiet last week, the golf world was absolutely buzzing. Between a massive return of a LIV star and some high-stakes drama on the Korn Ferry Tour, there is plenty to catch up on before the first ball is struck at Waialae.
The Mystery of the Cancelled Opener
It's weird, right? We’re so used to seeing the winners from the previous year gathered on the Plantation Course, tearing up par-fives and looking at the ocean. Not this time. The Tour tried to find a backup venue, but between shipping deadlines and the sheer amount of infrastructure needed for a "Signature Event," they basically ran out of time.
What does this mean for the guys who earned their way in? Most of them are just being funneled straight into the Sony Open this week. If you were eligible for The Sentry but didn't finish in the top 50 of the FedExCup last year, the Tour is giving you a spot in the RBC Heritage later this spring to make up for it.
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While the big names were resting, Taylor Dickson was busy making a statement. He took down the Bahamas Golf Classic at Atlantis Paradise Island, finishing at a staggering 27-under par. If you aren't following the Korn Ferry guys, you're missing out on some of the purest "must-win" golf on the planet. Dickson's win is huge for his momentum as he looks to solidify his place in the big leagues.
The Brooks Koepka Bombshell
You can't talk about the PGA Tour right now without mentioning the elephant in the room. Or rather, the five-time major champion in the room.
Brooks Koepka is coming back.
News broke earlier this week—right around the time we should have been watching a Sunday finish in Maui—that Koepka has officially signed onto the Tour's new "Returning Member Program." It’s basically a bridge back for guys who left for LIV. He isn't playing this week in Honolulu, but he's expected to debut at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines on January 29th.
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Here is the kicker: the Tour’s new CEO, Brian Rolapp, reportedly put a "take it or leave it" offer on the table for three other giants:
- Bryson DeChambeau
- Jon Rahm
- Cameron Smith
They have until February 2nd to decide. They’ve said they’re staying put for now, but in this sport? Words are kind of cheap until the deadline passes.
Looking Ahead: The Sony Open is the Real Start
Since there wasn't a trophy handed out on the PGA Tour last week, all the pressure is shifting to Waialae Country Club. This isn't just the second stop anymore; it’s the grand opening.
Nick Taylor is the guy with the target on his back. He won this thing last year in a playoff that felt like it lasted forever. He's trying to be the first person to go back-to-back here since Jimmy Walker did it a decade ago.
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The field is actually deeper than usual because of the Sentry cancellation. You've got:
- Hideki Matsuyama: He loves this course.
- Russell Henley: The oddsmakers' favorite.
- Jordan Spieth: Making his first start since last August.
- Keegan Bradley: The Ryder Cup captain is always a storyline.
The course itself is a par-70 that measures just over 7,000 yards. It’s a classic Seth Raynor design—lots of flat lies, palm trees, and wind that can turn a 65 into a 75 in about three holes. Unlike the bomb-and-gouge style we see at some modern tracks, Waialae is about precision. You have to hit fairways. If you're in the rough, the grain will eat your club head alive.
Why the "Empty" Week Actually Mattered
Even though we didn't get a Sunday roar last week, the "Who won last week on PGA Tour" search tells a story of a sport in transition. We are seeing the schedule being rebuilt on the fly due to climate issues (the Maui drought) and the internal politics of the LIV/PGA merger-era drama.
It’s a strange time to be a golf fan. One week there’s no tournament, the next week a major champion defects back to the home tour. It's chaotic.
If you are following the betting markets or just looking for who to put in your fantasy lineup for the Sony Open, keep an eye on Austin Eckroat. He’s a "sleeper" pick for a lot of experts because his total driving stats were top-tier last season. At a place like Waialae, that matters way more than raw power.
Actionable Insights for Golf Fans This Week
- Watch the Aon Swing 5: Since this is the first full-field event, players are fighting for spots in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (the first Signature Event of the year). The stakes for the "rank and file" players are massive right now.
- Check the Wind Reports: Honolulu weather can be fickle. If the trade winds pick up on Friday, look for the veterans who know how to flight the ball low to climb the leaderboard.
- The Koepka Effect: Watch the social media feeds of the players at the Sony Open. There is going to be a lot of chatter about Brooks returning, and how the locker room reacts will tell us a lot about the "vibe" for the rest of 2026.
Keep an eye on the leaderboard tonight. The season might be starting late, but with the talent in this field, it’s going to make up for lost time pretty quickly.