7 Big Names Missing The Sentry
There's no Scheffler or McIlroy this week, as well as a number of other PGA Tour stars...


The PGA Tour gets 2025 underway with The Sentry, its $20m signature event in Hawaii that features a stacked field of 59 players.
The tournament is open to every PGA Tour winner in 2024 as well as the top 50 in the FedEx Cup and is headlined by the likes of Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas and Ludvig Aberg.
There are some notable stars missing this week, though, including the World No.1 and No.3. So, which big names are not teeing it up at Kapalua?
Scottie Scheffler
Scheffler won the PGA Tour Player of the Year trophy for the third consecutive year in 2024
The World No.1 and 2022, 2023 and 2024 PGA Tour Player of the Year has not been able to make the trip after a freak accident on Christmas Day that required him to have surgery on his hand. He is expected to be back later this month at the AmEx.
"On Christmas Day while preparing dinner, Scottie sustained a puncture wound to the palm of his right hand from a broken glass. Small glass fragments remained in the palm which required surgery. He has been told that he should be back to 100% in three to four weeks," Blake Smith, Scheffler's manager said.
In his most recent start last month, he won his ninth title of the year at the Hero World Challenge.
Rory McIlroy
McIlroy won The Showdown alongside Scottie Scheffler last month
The World No.3 has once again opted to skip The Sentry, having only ever played in the event in 2019.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
McIlroy traditionally gets his year underway in the Middle East, as he'll do again this year when he tees it up in the Dubai Desert Classic in two weeks' time.
The Northern Irishman is seeking his third consecutive DDC win and fifth in total.
Tommy Fleetwood
Fleetwood will play for GB&I in the Team Cup next week
The Englishman is another who usually starts out the year in Dubai, which is where he now lives.
He'll make his first start next week in Abu Dhabi, though, as part of the GB&I squad for the Team Cup. Fleetwood was a playing captain two years ago and is back on the side, which is led by Justin Rose. He will then play in the Dubai Desert Classic before turning his attention to the PGA Tour.
Shane Lowry
World No.27 Lowry qualified for The Sentry but is not in the field
Lowry is not playing in next week's Team Cup but is expected to make his first appearance of the year in the Dubai Desert Classic.
His first start of 2024 came at the American Express, though, so he may opt to begin 2025 Stateside once again. We'll see.
Jordan Spieth
Spieth is currently recovering from wrist surgery
As Jordan Spieth was winless last year and finished 80th in the FedEx Cup, the Texan has not made the field this week.
Spieth made his final appearance of 2024 at the FedEx St Jude Championship in August before undergoing wrist surgery - with an exact return date currently unknown. He will likely be back later this month or sometime in February.
Tom Kim
Kim was winless in 2024
Korean star Tom Kim is another to have not qualified for this week's tournament.
Kim had his first full season without a win since turning pro in 2018 and also missed out on the Playoffs after finishing 59th in the FedEx Cup.
He recently finished 2nd at the Hero World Challenge so will be hoping to keep up his form and win at least one trophy in 2025.
Rickie Fowler
Fowler will be hoping to return to the winner's circle in 2025
After a superb 2023 year that saw him win the Rocket Mortgage Classic, contend at the US Open and make the US Ryder Cup team, Fowler was unable to follow it up in 2024.
He finished 101st in the FedEx Cup and went winless, while he recorded just one top-10 all year - coming in his final tournament at the Zozo Championship, where he was 4th.
Hopefully that's a sign that he can return to the winner's circle in 2025.

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, X and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 and 2025 Masters from Augusta National and was there by the 18th green to watch Rory McIlroy complete the career grand slam. He has also covered five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
-
Yan Liu Facts: 10 Things To Know About The LPGA Tour Pro
Yan Liu has been making solid progress in her professional career – here are 10 things to know about the LPGA Tour golfer
By Mike Hall
-
Mao Saigo Facts: 14 Things You Didn't Know About The Japanese Golfer
Discover more about Japanese pro golfer, Mao Saigo via these facts regarding her life and journey through the game so far...
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Tee Times: Final Round
Andrew Novak and Ben Griffin lead the pairs event by three shots going into the final round, with both men searching for a maiden PGA Tour victory
By Matt Cradock
-
Scottie Scheffler Adds Extra PGA Tour Event To Hectic Upcoming Schedule
The World No.1 begins a hectic period of the season with an appearance in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson
By Mike Hall
-
6 Big Pairings Who Missed The Cut At The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
A range of pairings are in contention at the Zurich Classic Of New Orleans, where a number of big groups also failed to make it into the weekend
By Matt Cradock
-
PGA Tour Truist Championship Creator Classic Line-Up And Format Revealed
The PGA Tour has announced the line-up for the second Creator Classic ahead of the Truist Championship - with YouTubers from outside golf taking on the challenge
By Paul Higham
-
Rory McIlroy And Shane Lowry Explain Golf Ball Tactics For Zurich Classic Foursomes
Defending Zurich Classic of New Orleans champions Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry explained how they go about picking which golf ball to use in foursomes
By Paul Higham
-
'I’ve Never Seen Someone Hit A Driver That Good. He Played So Freaking Good. And You Almost Feel Like, How Do I Compete With That?' - Akshay Bhatia Wowed By McIlroy's Masters Display
Akshay Bhatia lavished praise on Rory McIlroy's game at the Masters after playing the opening two rounds alongside the eventual champion at Augusta
By Paul Higham
-
Two-Time Champion Billy Horschel Forced To Withdraw From Zurich Classic Of New Orleans
Two-time winner Billy Horschel was forced to pull out of the Zurich Classic of New Orleans due to what he called a "lower body injury"
By Paul Higham
-
How To Watch Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Final Round: TV Coverage, Streaming, As Rory McIlroy Hunts Win On First Appearance Since Masters Victory
Rory McIlroy makes his first appearance since winning the Master – here's how to watch the Zurich Classic of New Orlseans online and on TV this week.
By Patrick Fletcher