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Rory McIlroy commits to open new year at Kapalua for 1st time

Golfweek 9/12/2018 Brentley Romine

Rory McIlroy will open his year in Hawaii for the first time.

McIlroy has committed to play in the Sentry Tournament of Champions on Jan. 3-6 at Kapalua, the tournament announced Tuesday. He qualified for the limited-field event, now at 30 players, with his victory last March at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

We're making it official - @McIlroyRory is coming to play at @GolfatKapalua in January for this first time in his career!
Get your tickets today ️ -> https://t.co/jevJI9gUy6 pic.twitter.com/dwFK57QTJ1
- Sentry TOC (@Sentry_TOC) September 11, 2018

McIlroy has been eligible to play in the Tournament of Champions six previous times, but had yet to accept an invitation to play.

"It's a meaningful tournament to qualify for, because you have to win to get in, and winning is not easy on the PGA Tour," McIlroy said in a release. "I can't wait to get out to Maui in January to experience the Plantation Course and everything the island has to offer."

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