The Cadillac Championship is the PGA Tour's latest flagship tournament, staged for the first time at Donald Trump’s Trump National Doral in Miami. While the event has generated a lot of buzz, several top players have chosen to sit it out, most notably Rory McIlroy, who is taking a brief hiatus after his recent triumph at the Masters. Trump’s Doral Resort, purchased in 2012 for roughly $150 million, includes four courses, the most famous of which is the Blue Monster. This par‑72 layout stretches about 7,500 yards and is renowned for its demanding design: deep water hazards, strategically placed bunkers, and a reputation for punishing winds that test even the most seasoned professionals.
The course earned the nickname "Blue Monster" because it was originally the resort’s blue‑teed course and because its size and difficulty can overwhelm the world’s elite golfers. The Cadillac Championship should not be confused with the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship, which also took place at Doral from 2007 to 2016. The new event is part of the PGA Tour’s broader strategy to create more high‑profile, no‑cut tournaments that bring together the sport’s biggest names on a regular basis. The Tour’s headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach has expanded the schedule to feature eight signature events, and the Cadillac Championship is the latest addition.
Eligibility for the field is heavily weighted toward the sport’s top performers. All players who finished in the top‑50 of the previous year’s FedExCup points list automatically receive an invitation, as do any golfers who claim a PGA Tour victory during the 2026 season. Additional spots are allocated through the AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings, which reward the highest‑ranked players on the FedExCup leaderboard who are not already exempt, as well as the top‑30 in the Official World Golf Rankings. In total, 72 of the world’s best competitors will line up for the event, and because it is a no‑cut tournament, everyone will play through the weekend, with even the last‑place finisher earning a modest paycheck.
The prize fund is substantial: a $20 million purse (about £14.8 million) with the champion slated to take home $3.6 million (£2.67 million). Second place will receive $2.18 million (£1.56 million), while the player who finishes at the bottom will still walk away with $40,200 (£29,808). In addition to the monetary rewards, FedExCup points are on the line, with the winner slated to collect 700 points, a significant boost toward the season‑long race. Rory McIlroy’s decision to skip the tournament comes after he captured his second Masters title in April.
The Northern Irish star opted to spend some downtime rather than travel to Miami, even though he recently attended a White House state dinner hosted by President Trump, where Trump interrupted a speech to laud McIlroy’s six major victories. McIlroy’s absence opens the door for other marquee names to make a statement. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will be looking to rebound after a narrow loss to Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff at the RBC Heritage two weeks earlier.
Fitzpatrick, who currently sits at No. 3 in the world, is also missing the Doral event, having taken a short break after back‑to‑back PGA Tour wins—the first player to achieve consecutive victories since Scheffler in 2024.
One of those wins came at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team competition where Fitzpatrick partnered with his brother Alex. Alex Fitzpatrick, who earned a two‑year Tour card and entry into the remaining 2026 signature events, will make his PGA Tour debut at Doral.
He expressed modest expectations, saying, "I just want to hit the fairway on the first tee and see where the week takes me. My game feels good, and I hope the form continues." Another notable return is English veteran Justin Rose, who is set to rejoin the Tour after The Masters. Rose recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with McLaren Golf, becoming the first golfer to sign with the Formula 1‑linked brand and will debut a new set of clubs crafted by the team’s automotive subsidiary during the tournament.
The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. Coverage of the first two rounds begins on Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf, with full‑round highlights shifting to Sky Sports Main Event at 11 p.m. The final two rounds will be shown on Saturday and Sunday, also starting at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf.
Viewers can also stream the tournament without a contract through Sky’s online platform. In summary, the Cadillac Championship offers a fresh, high‑stakes platform for the sport’s elite to compete on one of America’s most challenging courses. While McIlroy’s withdrawal adds a twist, the field remains stacked with talent, from Scheffler and the rising Fitzpatrick brothers to seasoned campaigners like Adam Scott and Justin Rose.
With a $20 million purse, valuable FedExCup points, and the allure of conquering the Blue Monster, the tournament promises drama, excitement, and perhaps a new champion to add to the event’s inaugural history.