The Cadillac Championship, the PGA Tour’s newest signature tournament, will be staged this Thursday at Trump National Doral in Miami, a venue that has long been associated with high‑profile professional events. The competition marks the first edition of the re‑branded signature event, distinct from the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship that was also held at Doral between 2007 and 2016. The tournament arrives as part of the Tour’s broader strategy to create more marquee stopovers where the world’s elite players can face each other more frequently throughout the season.
The PGA Tour’s headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach recently announced an expansion of the schedule to feature eight signature events, and the Cadillac Championship was born out of that initiative. Trump National Doral, purchased by former President Donald Trump in 2012 for roughly $150 million (£111 million), encompasses four distinct courses, the most famous of which is the Blue Monster. The Blue Monster is a demanding 7,500‑yard, par‑72 layout that has earned a reputation for its length, strategic water hazards, and well‑placed bunkers that guard both landing zones on the fairways and the greens. The course’s nickname reflects both its original designation as the "Blue" course—players traditionally tee off from the blue tees—and its reputation for being a formidable test that can "tame" even the best golfers.
Former PGA Tour champion Adam Scott, who won the last PGA Tour event at Doral in 2016, summed up the challenge 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." The field for the inaugural Cadillac Championship is comprised of 72 of the world’s top players, all invited through a series of eligibility criteria designed to ensure a deep and competitive roster. The top‑50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup points list automatically receive invitations, as do any golfers who claim a PGA Tour victory in the 2026 season. Additional spots are allocated via the AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings, which reward the highest‑ranked FedExCup players not already exempt, as well as the top‑five FedExCup earners who are not otherwise qualified.
Finally, the top‑30 players in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) are also granted entry. The tournament is a no‑cut event, meaning every participant will play all four rounds, and even the player who finishes last on Sunday will earn a modest paycheck. Despite the strong lineup, Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy has chosen to sit out the event.
McIlroy, fresh off his second Masters victory earlier in April, is taking a brief hiatus after an intense stretch of competition. His absence is notable because he was recently photographed at a White House state dinner hosted by President Trump, where the president interrupted a speech to laud the six‑time major champion. Nonetheless, the field remains stacked with high‑profile names. World No.
1 Scottie Scheffler will look to rebound after a narrow loss to Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff at the RBC Heritage two weeks earlier. Fitzpatrick, now ranked No.
3 globally, will also miss the Doral event as he enjoys a well‑deserved break following back‑to‑back PGA Tour victories—the first player to achieve consecutive wins since Scheffler’s 2024 run. Matt Fitzpatrick’s brother, Alex Fitzpatrick, will make his PGA Tour debut at the Cadillac Championship. Alex, who secured his tour card for the next two seasons by winning the Zurich Classic of New Orleans alongside his brother, expressed a relaxed yet hopeful attitude about his first start: "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. So hopefully I can continue the form and see where that takes me this week.
I have no expectations. It’s going to be a whirlwind, but I think it will settle down." Another headline‑making participant is England’s Justin Rose, who will return to the PGA 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 full set of clubs engineered by McLaren’s automotive technology division during the tournament.
The prize fund for the Cadillac Championship is a staggering $20 million (£14.8 million), with the champion slated to receive $3.6 million (£2.67 million). The runner‑up will pocket $2.18 million (£1.56 million), while even the player who finishes last will walk away with $40,200 (£29,808). In addition to the monetary rewards, FedExCup points are on the line, with the winner earning 700 points toward the season‑long race. Sky Sports will broadcast all four rounds live, beginning with Thursday’s opening round at 4 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf, followed by a full‑round feed on Sky Sports Main Event at 11 p.m. The weekend rounds will also be shown on Sky Sports Golf, starting at 4 p.m.
on both Saturday and Sunday. Viewers can also stream the coverage without a contract, ensuring broad accessibility for fans worldwide.
In summary, the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral promises a compelling mix of seasoned champions, rising talents, and a historic venue that has hosted both PGA Tour and LIV Golf events. While McIlroy’s decision to sit out adds a note of intrigue, the tournament’s generous purse, significant FedExCup points, and the allure of the Blue Monster’s challenging layout ensure that the competition will be closely watched by golf enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. The event, running from April 3 through April 6, offers a fresh chapter in the PGA Tour’s signature series and sets the stage for future editions that could become staples of the professional golf calendar.