Sony Open in Hawaii spectators will be missing from the Waialae Country Club grounds for the first time this century, but empty fairways are nothing new to the PGA Tour.

Since the COVID-19 virus caused a pandemic last March, tour players have been pretty much on their own while plying their trade in the truncated season. It’s not a bubble like the one created for the NBA, but it relies on the players and staff to take the necessary precautions to keep the virus implications at a minimum.

As an example, world No. 1 Dustin Johnson had to skip a couple of events after testing positive before returning to the tour today in a stop in Houston. He will then venture to the equally vacant fairways of Augusta National that will greet the 96 players scheduled to take part at the Masters. It will be the final major of the year as the world’s best try to remove the green jacket from Tiger Woods’ closet. He has held on to it for 18 months in this still unusual golf campaign.

This week’s stop in Texas will be a rare fan event because of the Lone Star State’s less than aggressive approach toward the virus. But here in Hawaii, folks are taking a more cautious outlook. There will be limited fan participation in the first local PGA Tour event held at Kapalua, Maui. The Sentry Tournament of Champions will offer a limited ticket package that allows fans to gather in a socially distanced capacity just off the famed 18th hole of the Plantation Course.

That winners-only tournament begins Jan. 7 with Justin Thomas as the defending champion. The field is often limited to fewer than 40 players. That will not be the case at the Sony Open, which is the first full-field event of the calendar year and often draws at least 144 players.

It is also played in front of much larger crowds, hence the decision by tournament officials to make this a TV-only event. Safety was the reason for keeping folks at home.

“The difficult decision to conduct the tournament without spectators was made for the protection of everyone involved,” said Corbett A.K. Kalama, President of Friends of Hawaii Charities, in a statement.

“We are grateful to title sponsor Sony Corporation for stepping forward under these special circumstances, as the unwavering champion of Hawaii and its charities.”

The only people who will be allowed on the grounds are the golfers, caddies and the necessary staff of Waialae Country Club. These folks will be tested daily. The Monday and Wednesday pro-am participants will be subject to testing as well.

Those fans interested in watching the tournament that begins Jan. 14 can see all four rounds on the Golf Channel. Australian Cameron Smith is the defending champion.