The Cadillac Championship is the PGA Tour's latest marquee tournament, staged for the first time at Donald Trump’s Trump National Doral in Miami. While the event promises a strong field and a massive prize fund, Northern Irish star Rory McIlroy has chosen to sit out, taking a brief hiatus after his second Masters triumph in April.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the tournament, its background, the venue, the eligibility criteria, and the players who will be vying for the $20 million purse. ### What is the Cadillac Championship? The Cadillac Championship is a brand-new signature event on the PGA Tour schedule, introduced as part of the Tour’s effort to create more high‑profile gatherings of the world’s elite golfers throughout the season. It should not be confused with the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship, which was also held at Doral between 2007 and 2016.
This new iteration is a no‑cut, 72‑hole competition that guarantees every invited player a chance to play all four rounds, with even the last‑place finisher walking away with a sizable check. ### Why is McIlroy skipping the event? Rory McIlroy is enjoying a well‑deserved break after capturing his second green‑jacket at the Masters earlier this month.
The Northern Irishman also attended a White House state dinner hosted by President Trump, where he was publicly praised by the president. Rather than jump straight into another high‑stakes tournament, McIlroy has elected to rest and reset his schedule, a decision that underscores the importance of managing workload and mental fatigue at the top level of professional golf.
### The venue: Trump National Doral and the Blue Monster Trump acquired the Doral Resort in 2012 for roughly $150 million, adding four courses to his portfolio, the most famous of which is the Blue Monster. The Blue Monster is a 7,500‑yard, par‑72 layout that has long been regarded as one of the toughest courses in the United States. Its design incorporates extensive water hazards, strategically placed bunkers that guard both fairways and greens, and a wind‑swept coastal climate that can turn a routine shot into a formidable challenge. The course earned its nickname not only because the original tees were painted blue, but also because its sheer length and demanding nature can "monster" even the best players.
Adam Scott, who won the last PGA Tour event at Doral in 2016, summed up the difficulty succinctly: "It’s called the Blue Monster for a reason. It’s a big golf course, very penal. The wind can blow, and that’s the biggest challenge out here.
So you’ve got to strike it well, just demanding tee‑to‑green. It’s great that we’re back." ### How the field is assembled The Cadillac Championship will feature 72 of the world’s top golfers. Invitations are granted through several pathways: * The top‑50 players from the previous season’s FedExCup points list receive automatic entry. * Winners of any PGA Tour event in 2026 are also exempt.
* Additional spots are allocated via the AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings, which reward the highest‑ranked players on the FedExCup leaderboard who have not already qualified. * The top‑30 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) are guaranteed a place. Because the tournament is a no‑cut event, every competitor will play all four days, and even the player who finishes at the bottom of the leaderboard will earn a payout of $40,200.
### Notable players and storylines While McIlroy is absent, the roster still boasts a collection of high‑profile names. 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, now ranked No.
3, has opted to skip Doral to enjoy a brief rest following back‑to‑back victories on the Tour – a feat not achieved since Scheffler in 2024. Matt’s brother, Alex Fitzpatrick, will make his PGA Tour debut as a full‑time member, having secured a tour card for the next two seasons and earned entry to the remaining signature events in 2026. Alex expressed modest expectations but highlighted his confidence: "Just hopefully on the first tee I’ll hit the fairway, and then I’ll go from there. I feel like my game is in good shape.
I played really nicely last week and over the past couple of months my game’s improved a lot." Justin Rose will also return to the Tour after The Masters, marking a milestone as the first golfer to sign with McLaren Golf. Rose will debut a set of clubs produced by the Formula 1 team’s automotive subsidiary, adding a technological intrigue to his participation. ### The prize money and FedExCup points The tournament boasts a $20 million purse, with the champion slated to receive $3.6 million (approximately £2.67 million). The runner‑up will earn $2.18 million, while the last‑place finisher still walks away with $40,200.
In addition to the cash, the winner will collect 700 FedExCup points, a substantial boost toward the season‑ending playoffs. ### Broadcast details Sky Sports will provide live coverage of all four rounds. The first two rounds will be shown on Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf, with a full‑round broadcast beginning at 11 p.m.
on Sky Sports Main Event. The weekend rounds will air on Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf.
Viewers can also stream the coverage without a contract via Sky Sports' online platform. ### Summary The inaugural Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral promises a compelling blend of high stakes, a challenging course, and a field packed with talent. Even without Rory McIlroy, the tournament offers plenty of intrigue: from Scottie Scheffler’s quest for redemption, to the Fitzpatrick brothers’ family narrative, to Justin Rose’s pioneering equipment partnership. With a $20 million purse and valuable FedExCup points on the line, the event is set to become a cornerstone of the PGA Tour’s signature series and a must‑watch for golf fans worldwide.