The Cadillac Championship has quickly become the PGA Tour's newest marquee tournament, and it will debut this week at the Trump National Doral resort in Miami. While the event promises a star‑studded field and a $20 million purse, one of the sport's biggest names, Rory McIlroy, has chosen to sit out. This article explains what the Cadillac Championship is, why McIlroy is absent, and which players could make an impression on the famed Blue Monster course. ### What is the Cadillac Championship?
The Cadillac Championship is the latest addition to the PGA Tour’s roster of eight "signature" events, a concept introduced by the Tour’s leadership in Ponte Vedra Beach to concentrate the world’s top talent in a handful of high‑profile tournaments. Unlike regular tour stops, signature events feature larger purses, more FedExCup points, and often a no‑cut format, meaning every invited player competes through all four rounds. The Cadillac Championship should not be confused with the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship, which was also held at Doral but ran from 2007 to 2016 under a different branding. Trump National Doral, purchased by former President Donald Trump in 2012 for roughly $150 million, includes four courses.
The most famous is the Blue Monster, a 7,500‑yard, par‑72 layout that has earned a reputation for its length, water hazards, and strategically placed bunkers. The name "Blue Monster" originates from the original "Blue" course designation and the intimidating challenge it presents to the world’s elite golfers. Former champion Adam Scott summed it up after his 2016 victory: "It’s called the Blue Monster for a reason. It’s a big, penal course.
The wind can be brutal, so you have to hit it well from tee to green." ### How the field is assembled Seventy‑two of the sport’s leading players have been invited to the inaugural Cadillac Championship. The field is assembled through several eligibility pathways: * The top‑50 players from the previous season’s FedExCup points list automatically receive an invitation.
* Any golfer who secured a PGA Tour win in the 2026 calendar year also earns a spot. * The AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings each provide a route for the highest‑ranked players on the FedExCup leaderboard who are not already exempt.
* The top‑five FedExCup points earners who are still without an exemption are added. * Finally, the top‑30 players in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) are guaranteed entry.
Because the tournament is a no‑cut event, all participants will play the full four rounds, and even the player who finishes last will walk away with a $40,200 check. ### Why is Rory McIlroy skipping? Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish six‑time major champion, announced that he will not travel to Miami for the Cadillac Championship. The decision follows his triumph at the Masters in April, where he claimed his second green‑ jacket.
McIlroy has indicated that he intends to take a brief rest period after the demanding major‑win schedule. Interestingly, he was recently seen at the White House for a state dinner hosted by President Trump, where Trump interrupted a speech to lavish praise on the champion. Despite the high‑profile invitation, McIlroy chose to prioritize recovery and personal time over immediate competition.
### Who remains in contention? Even without McIlroy, the roster is packed with talent. 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 third in the world, is also absent, having taken a short break after back‑to‑back PGA Tour victories—an achievement not seen since Scheffler’s double wins in 2024. Matt’s brother, Alex Fitzpatrick, will make his PGA Tour debut as a full member at Doral.
Alex, who secured a tour card for the next two seasons and qualified for the remaining 2026 signature events, expressed modest expectations: "I just want to hit the fairway on the first tee and let the rest play out. My game feels solid after a good week, and I hope I can keep the momentum. No big expectations, just trying to enjoy the experience." Another notable return is English veteran Justin Rose, who is set to showcase his new partnership with McLaren Golf. Rose will be the first player to compete using clubs produced by the Formula 1 team’s automotive subsidiary, adding a technological storyline to the tournament.
### Prize money and FedExCup stakes The Cadillac Championship offers a $20 million prize pool, with the champion slated to receive $3.6 million. The runner‑up will earn $2.18 million, and even the last‑place finisher will collect $40,200.
In addition to the cash, the winner will capture 700 FedExCup points, a substantial boost toward the season‑ending playoffs. ### 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 full‑round coverage beginning at 11 p.m. on Sky Sports Main Event.
The weekend rounds will also air on Sky Sports Golf starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Viewers can also stream the action without a contract through Sky’s online platform.
### The broader context Trump’s Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland recently missed out on a spot in the Open Championship rotation, shifting some attention back to his U.S. holdings. Doral’s inclusion in the PGA Tour schedule underscores the resort’s continued relevance, despite the political controversies surrounding its owner. The Blue Monster has also hosted LIV Golf events, most recently the 2025 LIV Golf Miami tournament where Marc Leishman edged out 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.
### Looking ahead As the inaugural Cadillac Championship unfolds, fans will watch to see which of the world’s elite can tame the Blue Monster’s length, water, and wind. With a deep field, a massive purse, and a no‑cut format, the tournament promises high drama and a potential new favorite among the Tour’s signature events. Whether it will become a staple on the calendar or fade into obscurity will depend largely on the quality of play and the stories that emerge from Miami’s challenging course.