The Cadillac Championship, the PGA Tour’s latest signature tournament, is set to debut at Trump National Doral in Miami this Thursday, and it has already generated a flurry of headlines. While the event promises a star‑studded field and a $20 million prize fund, one of golf’s biggest names, Rory McIlroy, has decided to sit out. Below is a comprehensive look at what the Cadillac Championship entails, why McIlroy is taking a break, and which players could make a splash on the famed Blue Monster course.
### What is the Cadillac Championship? The Cadillac Championship is the newest addition to the PGA Tour’s roster of eight "signature" events, a category created to bring more of the world’s elite golfers together more frequently throughout the season. It 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 sponsorship structure.
This iteration is a distinct tournament, backed by Cadillac and positioned as a marquee stop on the 2026 schedule. ### The venue – Trump National Doral’s Blue Monster Former President Donald Trump bought the Doral Resort in 2012 for roughly $150 million (£111 million).
The acquisition included four courses, the most famous of which is the Blue Monster – a 7,500‑yard, par‑72 layout that has long been regarded as one of America’s toughest tests. The course earned its nickname not only because of the blue‑colored tees that were historically used, but also because of its sheer difficulty: deep water hazards, strategically placed bunkers that guard both landing zones and greens, and a wind that can change direction suddenly, turning a routine shot into a gamble. Adam Scott, who won the last PGA Tour event at Doral in 2016, summed up the challenge: “It’s called the Blue Monster for a reason.
It’s a big, penal course. The wind can blow, and that’s the biggest challenge out here. You have to strike it well from tee to green. It’s great that we’re back.” The Blue Monster has also hosted several LIV Golf events, most recently the 2025 LIV Golf Miami tournament, where Marc Leishman edged out 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel by a single shot.
### Field and eligibility A total of 72 of the world’s top golfers have received invitations to compete in the inaugural Cadillac Championship. The event is a no‑cut tournament, meaning every participant will play all four rounds, and even the player who finishes at the bottom of the leaderboard on Sunday will still receive a payout – a $40,200 (£29,808) cheque. Eligibility is determined through several pathways: - The top‑50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup points list automatically qualify.
- Winners of any PGA Tour event in 2026 earn an exemption. - Additional spots are allocated via the AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings, which reward the highest‑ranked players on the FedExCup standings who are not otherwise exempt.
- The top‑5 FedExCup points earners who are not already exempt also receive invitations. - Finally, any player ranked inside the top‑30 of the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) gains entry. ### Why is Rory McIlroy skipping?
Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish six‑time major champion, announced that he will miss the Cadillac Championship to enjoy a brief hiatus after securing his second Masters title in April. The decision comes after McIlroy attended a White House state dinner hosted by President Trump, during which Trump paused his speech to laud the champion’s achievements. While the appearance underscored McIlroy’s high profile, the golfer has chosen to prioritize rest and recovery rather than add another demanding week to an already packed schedule. ### Players to watch Even without McIlroy, the field is stacked with talent: - **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. A victory at Doral could re‑establish his dominance. - **Matt Fitzpatrick**, now world No.
3, is taking a break after back‑to‑back PGA Tour wins – a feat not achieved since Scheffler’s double in 2024. His recent triumphs include the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he partnered with his brother Alex. - **Alex Fitzpatrick** will make his first start as a full PGA Tour member at the Cadillac Championship.
He expressed confidence in his recent form, saying, “I feel my game is in good shape. I played nicely last week and over the past few months my game’s improved a lot.
I have no expectations, but I hope to stay focused and see where my form takes me.” - **Justin Rose** returns to the Tour after The Masters and will debut new equipment from McLaren Golf, the first golfer to sign with the Formula 1‑linked brand. His partnership with McLaren could bring fresh attention to both his game and the high‑tech clubs. ### Prize money and FedExCup points The Cadillac Championship boasts a $20 million (£14.8 million) purse, with the champion slated to receive $3.6 million (£2.67 million).
Second place will earn $2.18 million (£1.56 million), while even the last‑place finisher walks away with $40,200. In addition to the financial rewards, the winner will collect 700 FedExCup points, a substantial boost that could influence the season‑long race. ### Broadcast details Sky Sports will provide live coverage of all four rounds.
The opening two rounds begin Thursday and Friday 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 air on Sky Sports Golf starting at 4 p.m. each day.
Viewers can also stream the action without a contract through Sky Sports’ online platform. ### What to expect The Cadillac Championship promises high drama on a demanding course, a deep field of world‑class competitors, and a substantial payday for the winner. While McIlroy’s absence may be felt by fans, the tournament still offers plenty of storylines – from Scheffler’s quest for redemption to the Fitzpatrick brothers’ sibling synergy and Rose’s equipment debut.
As the Blue Monster prepares to test the mettle of the world’s best, golf enthusiasts worldwide will be tuning in to see who can tame the course and claim the inaugural title.