The Cadillac Championship is the PGA Tour's newest marquee tournament, staged for the first time at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida. The event, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, marks a fresh chapter for the resort, which has a long‑standing relationship with professional golf but has not hosted a signature‑level competition since the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship ended its run there in 2016. Trump National Doral, purchased by former President Donald Trump in 2012 for roughly $150 million, comprises four distinct courses, the most famous of which is the "Blue Monster." This par‑72 layout stretches about 7,500 yards and is notorious for its expansive water hazards, deep bunkers positioned on landing zones, and a prevailing wind that can turn even the most straightforward shot into a strategic puzzle.
The moniker "Blue Monster" originated from the course's original designation as the Blue Course and the daunting challenge it presents to even the world’s elite golfers. Former PGA Tour winner Adam Scott summed it up after his 2016 victory at Doral: "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 Cadillac Championship is part of the PGA Tour’s broader initiative to increase the number of high‑profile, no‑cut events on the calendar.
In an effort to bring the sport’s top talent together more frequently, the Tour’s leadership in Ponte Vedra Beach expanded the schedule to eight signature tournaments, and the Cadillac Championship was created to fill that slot. Unlike most regular‑season stops, the event features a no‑cut format: all 72 invited players will compete through the weekend, and even the competitor who finishes last on Sunday will receive a modest paycheck, underscoring the Tour’s commitment to rewarding participation.
Eligibility for the field is tightly controlled. All players who finished in the top 50 of the FedExCup points list from the previous season receive an automatic invitation. Winners of any PGA Tour event in 2026 also earn a spot, as do the top‑10 players from the AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings who have not already qualified.
Additionally, the top five FedExCup points earners not otherwise exempt, and the top 30 golfers in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), are all guaranteed entry. In total, 72 of the world’s best competitors will line up at Doral this week.
One notable absentee is Rory McIlroy, who announced he will sit out the Cadillac Championship after capturing his second Masters title in April. The Northern Irish star chose to take a brief hiatus rather than travel to Miami, even though he was recently honored at a White House state dinner where former President Trump praised his six major victories.
McIlroy’s decision opens a slot for another contender and adds an extra layer of intrigue to the field. The roster is nonetheless stacked with big names.
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.
Fitzpatrick, who currently sits at No. 3 in the world, is also absent, having taken a well‑deserved break after back‑to‑back victories on the PGA Tour – a feat not achieved since Scheffler’s double win in 2024. Fitzpatrick’s most recent triumph came at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a team event he won alongside his brother Alex Fitzpatrick.
Alex, having secured a Tour card for the next two seasons, will make his debut as a full PGA Tour member at the Cadillac Championship, hoping to translate his recent form into a strong showing. He said, "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 and I’ve improved a lot over the past few months.
No expectations, just trying to enjoy the week and see where it takes me." Another headline is the return of Justin Rose, who will be the first golfer to sign with McLaren Golf, the performance‑driven brand linked to the Formula 1 team. Rose plans to debut the new McLaren clubs at Doral, adding a technological storyline to the competition. The prize pool for the Cadillac Championship is substantial: a total of $20 million (£14.8 million) will be distributed, with the champion slated to earn $3.6 million (£2.67 million).
Second place will take home $2.18 million (£1.56 million), while even the player who finishes last will receive $40,200 (£29,808). In addition to the cash, FedExCup points are on the line, with the winner receiving 700 points that could dramatically influence the season‑long race. Sky Sports will provide comprehensive coverage of all four rounds.
The first two rounds will be streamed on Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf, with full‑round broadcasts moving to Sky Sports Main Event at 11 p.m. The weekend rounds will again be shown on Sky Sports Golf beginning at 4 p.m.
each day. Viewers can also stream the action without a contract through Sky Sports’ online platform. In summary, the inaugural Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral promises a blend of high‑stakes competition, historic venue challenges, and a field brimming with talent.
While McIlroy’s absence is a talking point, the tournament still offers plenty of storylines—from the debut of McLaren‑branded equipment by Justin Rose to Alex Fitzpatrick’s first full‑Tour appearance, and the quest of world‑class players like Scheffler to claim the $3.6 million top prize and a hefty FedExCup boost. Golf fans can tune in to Sky Sports to watch the drama unfold and see who ultimately conquers the Blue Monster’s formidable tests.