PGA Tour Planning on Playing 2024 Season Opener in Maui as Scheduled
ATLANTA — The PGA Tour, for now, is planning on playing its 2024 season opener in January at the Kapalua Resort on the island of Maui, Hawaii.
The wildfires that have caused considerable damage in the town of Lahaina as well as more than 100 deaths with dozens of people unaccounted for has the Tour monitoring the situation, trying to balance the idea of helping the community while also not impacting various efforts.
“We hope to be a source of inspiration for the great people of Maui and Lahaina by the time that we get to Maui in January," commissioner Jay Monahan said Tuesday at a news conference in Atlanta, where the season-ending Tour Championship begins at East Lake on Thursday.
Monahan said he has been in communication with Hawaii governor Josh Green on several occasions as well as other local officials to determine a proper course of action.
"I think at this point there's so many unknowns, and we want to be respectful of the challenges," Monahan said. “We want to help be a part of the revitalization. There are a lot of considerations. We're committed—if we're allowed to, if we're invited, if we're embraced, given all that needs to be accomplished, we will be there 100 percent. But I think at this point right now that's outside of our hands.
"We don't have the answer to that right now, but we want to do everything we can to make certain that that's a moment for the people of Maui that is entirely helpful and inspiring. And I would also add that our partner in Sentry has been there every step of the way and is doing some pretty remarkable things right now alongside our team and we'll have more to add on that front. But we are hopeful to be there."
Asked if the Tour has explored other options such as a course on a different Hawaiian island, Monahan said that has yet to occur.
"All of our efforts are on and all of our attention is to try and get back to Kapalua and to try and be as close to what we've been in the past," Monahan said. “If it looks like (playing there) is not a possibility, then we'll go to plan B. I want to be clear, there's no indication that we won't be back there. We're just trying to be respectful."