The Cadillac Championship has quickly become one of the PGA Tour’s most talked‑about additions, and it will be staged this Thursday at Trump National Doral in Miami – a venue better known to many as the home of the infamous Blue Monster. While the tournament promises a star‑studded field and a $20 million purse, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has decided to sit out, choosing instead to rest after his second Masters triumph earlier this month. **What is the Cadillac Championship?** The Cadillac Championship is the newest “signature” event on the PGA Tour schedule.
It is not to be confused with the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship, which was also played at Doral from 2007 to 2016. The Tour’s leadership in Ponte Vedra Beach has been working to create more high‑profile match‑ups among the world’s elite players throughout the season, and the plan calls for eight signature tournaments. The Cadillac Championship was born out of that initiative, offering a no‑cut format, a hefty prize fund and a large haul of FedExCup points. **Why Doral?** Donald Trump purchased the Doral Resort in 2012 for roughly $150 million (£111 million).
The acquisition included four courses, the most famous of which is the 7,500‑yard, par‑72 Blue Monster. The moniker stems from the course’s original name, the “Blue” course, and the fact that the layout can be a monster for even the best golfers. It is a demanding track, riddled with deep water hazards, strategically placed bunkers and a wind‑swept approach that forces players to be precise from tee to green. The Blue Monster has also hosted several LIV Golf events, most recently the 2025 LIV Golf Miami tournament, which saw Marc Leishman edge out 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel by a single stroke.
**How the field is built** Seventy‑two of the world’s top players have earned invitations to the inaugural Cadillac Championship. The event is a no‑cut competition, meaning every participant will play all four rounds and even the player who finishes last on Sunday will still receive a cheque – $40,200 (£29,808) in this case.
The invitation criteria are generous: the top‑50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup points list are automatically in, as are any golfers who claim a PGA Tour victory during the 2026 season. Additional slots are allocated through the AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings, which reward the highest‑ranked FedExCup players not already exempt, and the top‑30 in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) also receive spots. **McIlroy’s absence** Rory McIlroy, who captured his second green‑ jacket at Augusta in April, announced he would skip the Cadillac Championship to take a brief hiatus after the grueling major win. The decision comes shortly after McIlroy attended a White House state dinner hosted by President Trump, during which the president interrupted a speech to laud the six‑time major champion.
Despite the high‑profile invitation and the lucrative purse, McIlroy chose to prioritize recovery and family time, a move that will likely be respected by his peers. **Who remains in contention?** The field still boasts a slew of marquee names. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will be looking to rebound after a heartbreaking loss to Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff at the RBC Heritage two weeks earlier.
Fitzpatrick, now ranked No. 3, will not be playing, having taken a well‑earned break following consecutive PGA Tour victories – a feat not achieved since Scheffler’s back‑to‑back wins in 2024. Fitzpatrick’s most recent triumph came at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team event where he partnered with his brother Alex Fitzpatrick. Alex, who secured his PGA Tour card for the next two seasons and earned entry to the remaining 2026 signature events, will make his first start as a full Tour member at Doral.
Alex Fitzpatrick summed up his mindset: “I just want to hit the fairway on the first tee and take it from there. My game feels solid, I’ve been playing well the past few months, and I hope that form carries through this week.” He added that he has “no expectations” and expects the tournament to be a whirlwind, but he hopes to settle in as the days progress. Another notable return is English veteran Justin Rose, who will be back on the PGA Tour after his appearance at the Masters. Rose recently made headlines by becoming the first golfer to sign with McLaren Golf, a new venture that will see him debut a set of clubs engineered by the Formula 1 team’s technology arm.
**Prize money and FedExCup stakes** The Cadillac Championship offers a total purse of $20 million (£14.8 million). The champion is slated to pocket $3.6 million (£2.67 million) and collect 700 FedExCup points, while second place will earn $2.18 million (£1.56 million). Even the last‑place finisher will leave with $40,200 (£29,808), ensuring that every participant receives a financial reward. **Broadcast details** Sky Sports will provide live coverage of all four rounds.
The opening two rounds will be shown on Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf, with a full‑round broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event at 11 p.m. The weekend rounds will also air on Sky Sports Golf, beginning at 4 p.m. each day.
Viewers can also stream the action without a contract via Sky Sports’ online platform. **Looking ahead** With McIlroy absent, the Cadillac Championship will be a proving ground for the next generation of leaders on the Tour. Players like Scheffler, the Fitzpatrick brothers, and Rose will be eager to seize the opportunity, while the massive purse and FedExCup points add extra incentive.
Whether the Blue Monster lives up to its fearsome reputation remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the inaugural Cadillac Championship promises drama, high stakes, and a showcase of golf’s finest talent.