As 2024 comes to an end, so does a rather exciting season on the PGA Tour. But every ending brings a new beginning, and so will the Tour. The 2025 season will kick off in a few days with the Sentry from January 2 to January 5. The first of the two Hawaii-based events will be hosted for the twenty-seventh time at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort on Maui Island. It is an already special event since it comes with the tag of the Signature Event status, which means only the top 50 players and 10 invitational players will be part of the field, and the total purse will be an elevated amount of $20 million and the prestigious trophy.

Scottie Scheffler had an extraordinary season in 2024, and the fans were hoping to see him with fierce competition, trying to begin 2025 with a great start. However, he has been denied that chance after having to undergo hand surgery after the freak Christmas dinner injury. He will not be a part of the field. While the excitement is at its peak, there have been several such instances at The Sentry that broke the hearts of the golf community. Here are the three most unforgettable moments from the event formerly known as the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

1. Jordan Spieth finishing third at the 2024 Sentry

The Jordan Spieth Experience—a phrase that could probably be trademarked—came alive again during Sunday’s final round at The Sentry. Spieth had just grabbed a share of the lead with his eighth birdie through 15 holes when disaster struck on the short par-4 16th. His tee shot, slightly overcut, veered off course. He watched anxiously, dropping his head and tapping the ground with his right foot, but assumed the ball would at least catch the middle of the fairway bunker. From there, a wedge shot would easily get him to the green; instead, the ball plugged in the sand, just inches from a steep grass face, leaving Spieth no choice but to punch out.

Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t get up and down from 72 yards, missing a 13-foot par putt as he noted, “It was a full shot, to have to punch out sideways in a pretty pivotal time, which stunk, but I’ve got to be a little tighter off the tee.” Heading into the final round, Spieth believed that an 8-under finish at The Sentry would at least force a playoff. With nine birdies and just one bogey, he achieved his target score.

However, the calm conditions in Maui kept the Plantation Course from playing tough, making bogey avoidance crucial for the contenders. Chris Kirk, who won the tournament, played the final round without a single bogey, as did runner-up Sahith Theegala. His bogey on the sixteenth hole was what caused all the damage. 

2. Ernie Els loses in 2000 Sentry

Back in 2000, Tiger Woods was still the best in the game, and Ernie Els too was no different. They both fueled at the 2000 Sentry Tournament of Champions, and Ernie Els managed to bring out his best self in front of Tiger Woods through the entire tournament that year. After 71 holes, both were tied before they could reach their final hole. Well, both of them were still in full momentum and wanted to grab the trophy; each carded an eagle, which called for a final playoff.

Both golfers drove into the rough and carded identical shots, but Tiger Woods’s shot was a little longer than that of Els. They were just a few inches apart, but it cost Ernie Els his chance at defeating the golfing legend. 

3. Jon Rahm loses to Cameron Smith at the 2022 Sentry

The battle on the final day of the 2022 Sentry was an epic one between Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith. Smith had carded rounds of 65, 64, and 64, breaking Justin Thomas’s field record, and well, Rahm had carded 66, 66, and 61. Both entered the Sunday round with a lead at 26-under; the air was already competitive around the course. Smith had already taken the lead from Rahm, carding four birdies.

The Spaniard only had two birdies and was two strokes behind, he tried catching up with Smith in the back nine and almost did. However, Cameron Smith’s birdie on the final hole, with Rahm, gave him an upper hand, and Rahm lost to Smith by a disappointing one-stroke.

The Sentry is always one roller coaster ride, and 2025 will be no different. Which was the saddest moment for you at the Sentry? Let us know in the comments section below!