“This week we’ve got the best weather on the planet. We never get below 70 degrees and we never hit 90. We’re right in the sweet spot, where you want to hit the golf ball.” said the weatherman of Maui, Guy Hagi, on January 3. Who knew this would make Kapalua a birdie fest? Usually a highlight on the PGA Tour calendar, The Sentry has struggled to capture the audience’s attention this year. And this was despite the dreamy weather that one could only wish for. What could be dampening viewer interest? You might think it’s the $50 to $75 ticket price, but it goes beyond that.

You see, the reason is the exceptionally low scores of the PGA Tour professionals. The 2025 Sentry participants have scored the lowest 54-hole score to par since the Sentry moved to Kapalua in 1999. It is a signature event offering a $20 million purse, fans expected tough competition, and well, not-so-low scores.

Players like Hideki Matsuyama and Collin Morikawa wowed spectators after carding scores of −27 and −26 after 54 holes, respectively. While those numbers seem remarkable, the easygoing course conditions combined with the absence of the iconic Hawaiian wind have drained some of the competition’s excitement.

Reports have highlighted that the usual challenging winds, which typically add drama to the rounds, were noticeably absent at the Plantation Course. Guy Hagi pointed out that the winds softened on Friday, turning it into a birdie fest. Russell Henley, who shot 4-under 69, humorously remarked that he felt like he’d been “lapped by the field.” With Sepp Straka starting the back nine with a staggering seven birdies in a row on Friday, it’s easy to see why! Henley quipped, “Felt like I shot 3 over today,” bringing a chuckle to many.

Maverick McNealy chimed in too, describing the course as “gettable.” Tom Hoge also commented, “Seems like Hideki is trying to birdie every hole, which made it nice to keep up with him.” But before we point fingers at the scores and competition, we ask you. Could this be the only reason for the initial drop in viewer interest? We’d argue it’s not!

Low scores aren’t the only culprit behind falling viewership

Another reason some fans found the tournament lackluster is the noticeable absence of top-tier PGA Tour players this season. Sure, there were strong names like Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa in the mix. But folks sure have missed Scottie Scheffler. Many tuned in, hoping for a thrilling showdown, only to feel let down by the lack of star power.

One fan summed it up perfectly on social media, saying, “Without the top-tier players, it feels like a completely different tournament.” You can sense the frustration when the usual favorites aren’t there to draw in the crowds. Shane Lowry even chimed in on the matter, stating, “Flying 25 hours just to shoot 30-under? Not for me.” When certain big players opt out, fans start to wonder if the hefty purse really makes up for the missing excitement.

Even performances by players like Hideki Matsuyama and Collin Morikawa stirred mixed feelings. Sure, Matsuyama is racking up impressive scores, but many fans are left wanting more drama and competitive tension—something that just wasn’t there this year. So, it seems The Sentry 2025 has some lessons to learn to move forward. What do you think?