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 star‑studded field and a massive prize fund, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has chosen to sit out, taking a brief hiatus after his second Masters triumph earlier this month. **What the Cadillac Championship Is** The Cadillac Championship is not a revival of the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship that ran at Doral from 2007 to 2016.
Instead, it is a brand‑new signature event introduced by the PGA Tour as part of an eight‑tournament series designed to bring the world’s elite players together more frequently throughout the season. The Tour’s headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach decided to expand the schedule, adding these high‑profile stops to give fans more opportunities to watch top talent compete head‑to‑head.
**Why McIlroy Is Skipping** McIlroy’s decision comes after a hectic spring. He captured his second green‑jacket at the Masters in early April and then attended a White House state dinner where President Trump praised the six‑time major winner.
Rather than jump straight into another high‑stakes competition, McIlroy elected to rest and recharge, a move many analysts view as smart for his long‑term health and performance. **The Venue – Trump National Doral’s Blue Monster** Trump bought the Doral Resort in 2012 for roughly $150 million (£111 million), acquiring four courses, the most famous of which is the 7,500‑yard, par‑72 “Blue Monster.” The moniker reflects both the course’s original blue‑tee layout and its reputation for overwhelming even the best golfers. The layout is peppered with large water hazards, deep bunkers positioned at strategic landing zones, and a wind‑swept fairway that can turn a routine shot into a daunting challenge. The Blue Monster has also hosted several LIV Golf events, including the 2025 LIV Golf Miami tournament won by Marc Leishman.
**How Players Qualify** Seventy‑two of the world’s top golfers have received invitations to the inaugural Cadillac Championship. The field is assembled through several exemption categories: 1. The top‑50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup points list receive automatic entry. 2.
Any golfer who won a PGA Tour event in 2026 is granted an exemption. 3. The AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings each add the highest‑ranked FedExCup players not already exempt, up to ten spots.
4. The top five FedExCup points earners who are still unqualified also gain entry. 5.
Finally, the 30 highest‑ranked players in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) are invited. Because the tournament is a no‑cut event, every participant will play all four rounds, and even the player who finishes last will earn a paycheck – a rare guarantee on the Tour. **Key Storylines Without McIlroy** Even without the Northern Irish star, the roster is stacked.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will look to rebound after a heartbreaking loss to Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff at the RBC Heritage two weeks earlier. Fitzpatrick himself will be absent, taking a well‑deserved break after back‑to‑back victories – a feat not achieved since Scheffler’s double win in 2024. His most recent triumph came at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team event he won alongside his brother Alex Fitzpatrick.
Alex, who secured a two‑year PGA Tour card and 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 off the tee and let the rest flow.
My game feels solid after a strong finish last week, and I’m hoping that momentum carries through this week. I have no expectations – it’ll be a whirlwind, but I’ll try to stay focused.” Another notable return is England’s Justin Rose, who announced a partnership with McLaren Golf, becoming the first golfer to sign with the Formula 1‑linked brand. Rose will debut his new McLaren‑crafted clubs at the event, adding a technological intrigue to his comeback after The Masters.
**Prize Money and FedExCup Stakes** The Cadillac Championship boasts a $20 million (£14.8 million) purse, with the champion slated to pocket $3.6 million (£2.67 million). Second place will earn $2.18 million (£1.56 million), while the last‑place finisher still walks away with $40,200 (£29,808). In addition to the cash, the winner will collect 700 FedExCup points, a substantial boost toward the season‑long race.
**Broadcast Details** Sky Sports will air live coverage of all four rounds. The opening rounds on Thursday and Friday begin at 4 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf, with full‑round coverage shifting to Sky Sports Main Event at 11 p.m. The weekend rounds will be shown on Sky Sports Golf starting at 4 p.m. each day. Viewers can also stream the tournament without a contract via Sky Sports’ online platform.
**Why the Event Matters** The Cadillac Championship represents the Tour’s effort to concentrate talent and prize money into a handful of high‑visibility stops, similar to the PGA Tour’s earlier creation of the FedExCup Playoffs. By placing the tournament at Doral, the PGA Tour taps into a venue steeped in modern golf history while also navigating the political backdrop of a course owned by a former U.S. president.
The event will test players’ ability to manage the Blue Monster’s demanding layout, the pressure of a no‑cut format, and the expectations that come with a $20 million purse. **Looking Ahead** With McIlroy on a brief sabbatical, the spotlight will shift to the remaining heavyweights.
Scheffler will aim to reassert his dominance, the Fitzpatrick brothers will look to capitalize on their momentum, and Rose will showcase his new equipment. Meanwhile, the tournament’s success could set the tone for future signature events, influencing how the PGA Tour structures its calendar and prize distribution in the years to come. Whether the Blue Monster lives up to its fearsome reputation or yields a surprise champion, the inaugural Cadillac Championship promises drama, high‑stakes golf, and a glimpse into the evolving landscape of professional golf.