As the calendar flips to 2026, professional golf fans around the globe prepare for one of the most compelling seasons the PGA Tour has assembled in recent memory. The 2026 Tour season blends deep tradition with bold innovations: historic venues are revisited, signature events amplified, and changes to key tournaments shape players’ strategies all year long.
At its core, the 2026 PGA Tour schedule celebrates the 20th anniversary of the FedExCup, marking two decades of intense competition, riveting playoffs, and unforgettable moments.
Season Opener and Early Highlights
The Tour’s rhythm kicks off in January, though not without drama: The Sentry, long the quintessential season opener in Maui, was cancelled for 2026 due to drought conditions affecting Kapalua’s renowned Plantation Course. Maui’s absence marks the end of a tradition that spanned much of the last three decades, underscoring how environmental and logistical realities can impact even golf’s most venerable stops.
While The Sentry’s cancellation disappointed many, the season still roars to life with the Sony Open in Hawaii (Jan 12–18) and a full slate of high-profile events that follow across the United States. From players debuting new form and equipment in early starts to veterans chasing momentum, the winter swing always sets the tone for what’s to come.
Signature Events and Historic Stops
In 2026, the PGA Tour further refines its identity with a slate of Signature Events — elite tournaments that attract the strongest fields and offer elevated competitive stakes (despite The Sentry’s cancellation, a new event at Doral maintains strong elite competition). These include iconic stops such as:
Many of these venues boast deep histories in professional golf, with Pebble Beach remaining a perennial favourite for players and fans alike (note: the Masters at Augusta National is a separate major, not a PGA Tour Signature Event).
Notably, Trump National Doral’s Blue Monster returns to the PGA Tour in 2026 as home to the Cadillac Championship, marking a significant reintroduction of one of golf’s most storied layouts as a Signature Event.
Majors and Major Storylines
While every stop matters for FedExCup points, the majors always stand apart — and 2026 promises some classic championship golf.
The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale (July 12–19, 2026)
Each of these tournaments confers incredible prestige and deeply influences player legacies and Ryder Cup selections. With courses like Shinnecock Hills’ firm, testing layout and Royal Birkdale’s challenging links, 2026 majors could deliver epic battles that reverberate through golf history.
FedExCup Playoffs and International Flair
The culmination of the PGA Tour season remains the FedExCup Playoffs, where only the cream of the crop continues competing for golf’s most coveted season-long prize. The playoff series typically includes:
These events bring out heightened drama as players jockey for position, with every shot potentially altering the trajectory of their season.
Beyond the continental U.S., the Tour also ventures internationally with potentially higher-profile events — from the Zozo Championship in Japan to late-season swings in Australia — extending golf’s global footprint and offering fans around the world something to cheer for late into the year.
What Makes the 2026 Calendar Special
Among the many storylines shaping the year ahead, several stand out:
Historic course returns, such as Doral’s reintroduction with a signature event and Muirfield Village’s 50th anniversary hosting the Memorial Tournament.
Strategic field adjustments that refine how players earn status and entry, in part, a response to the competitive landscape of professional golf leagues worldwide.
Environmental challenges, like Maui’s drought-related disruption, reminding the sport that golf’s calendar doesn’t exist in a vacuum.
Through these changes, the PGA Tour’s 2026 calendar reflects both the heritage and future of elite golf — a season that blends star power, historic venues, and dramatic competition from the first tee to the final putt.
