The 2025 PGA TOUR season kicks off with The Sentry at the iconic Plantation Course in Kapalua, Hawaii. As the first Signature Event of the year this tournament features a $20 million purse, with $3.6 million awarded to the winner, and increased FedEx Cup points on the line. The field includes 59 players including a mix of 2024 tournament winners and the top 50 from last season’s FedEx Cup standings.
Notable absences include world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, sidelined due to a hand injury, and Rory McIlroy, who has opted to skip this event once again. However, the field remains stacked with talent.
Kapalua Plantation Course Info
- Par: 73
- Distance: 7,596
- Recent Winning Scores: -29, -27, -34, -25, -14
Xander Schauffele +475 via FanDuel
Xander Schauffele enters The Sentry poised for victory after an exceptional 2024 season that included two major championship wins and a rise to No. 2 in the world rankings. The 2019 champion at Kapalua, Schauffele has proven his mastery of the Plantation Course, amassing three additional top-10 finishes, including a T-10 last year. Over 25 rounds at Kapalua, he’s posted an impressive +2.17 strokes gained per round against the field. Currently second in Strokes Gained: Total and SG: Tee-to-Green on the PGA TOUR, Schauffele leads a strong field but benefits from the absence of top competitors like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.
Justin Thomas +800 via FanDuel
Justin Thomas is primed for a standout performance at The Sentry as he seeks to kickstart a resurgence in 2025. After an impressive fall season, including a T2 finish at the ZOZO Championship and third at the Hero World Challenge, Thomas has shown he’s regained his elite ball-striking form. Over his last 20 rounds, he leads the field in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green, averaging a remarkable +2.60 per round. His wedge game and approach play have also been sharp, gaining strokes in six consecutive events. Returning to Kapalua, a course he’s dominated with victories in 2017 and 2020, Thomas has also logged three other top-five finishes.
Akshay Bhatia +2800 via FanDuel
Akshay Bhatia heads into The Sentry poised for another strong showing at Kapalua. The 2024 season saw him make strides, highlighted by his T2 finish at the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament in Japan, a solo fourth at the Hero World Challenge, and a third-place finish alongside Jennifer Kupcho at the Grant Thornton Invitational. His performance at Albany was particularly encouraging, as he outscored many elite players while holding his own in the final group with Scottie Scheffler. Bhatia’s ball-striking has been excellent, with his +1.69 strokes gained on approach at the Hero marking his best iron play since April. He’s also demonstrated a knack for Bermuda greens, gaining +0.37 strokes putting on the surface over the past year. Returning to Kapalua, where he finished T14 last year, Bhatia’s maturity and confidence suggest he’s ready to contend.