McIlroy Opts Out of Cadillac Championship at Trump’s Doral Course

The Cadillac Championship, the PGA Tour’s latest signature tournament, is set to debut at Trump National Doral in Miami, but one of golf’s biggest stars, Rory McIlroy, has decided to sit out. To understand the significance of this event, the reasons behind McIlroy’s absence, and what the field looks like, let’s take a closer look.

**What is the Cadillac Championship?** The Cadillac Championship is a brand‑new addition to the PGA Tour schedule, created as part of the Tour’s effort to concentrate more of the sport’s elite players into a handful of high‑profile, no‑cut events. While the name may recall the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship that was also played at Doral from 2007 to 2016, this is a distinct tournament with its own qualification criteria and prize structure. The event is being marketed as a "signature" stop, meaning it will feature a limited field of top‑ranked golfers, a substantial purse, and a points package that can dramatically affect the FedExCup race. **Why Doral?** Trump National Doral, purchased by former President Donald Trump in 2012 for roughly $150 million, is home to four courses, the most famous of which is the Blue Monster.

The Blue Monster is a 7,500‑yard, par‑72 layout that has a reputation for being brutally demanding. It is lined with deep water hazards, strategically placed bunkers, and often windy conditions that test a player’s precision from tee to green.

Over the years the course has hosted numerous high‑profile events, including the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship and several LIV Golf tournaments, most recently the 2025 LIV Golf Miami event won by Marc Leishman. The moniker "Blue Monster" originally stemmed from the course’s original designation as the "Blue" course and the colour of its tees. However, the nickname also reflects the course’s sheer size and its ability to intimidate even the world’s best golfers.

As Adam Scott, the last PGA Tour champion at Doral in 2016, remarked, "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." **How the field is assembled** The Cadillac Championship will feature 72 of the world’s top players. The tournament is a no‑cut event, meaning every competitor will play all four rounds and even the player who finishes last will earn a paycheck. Invitations are granted through several pathways: - The top‑50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup points list automatically qualify. - Winners of PGA Tour events in 2026 receive 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 already exempt. - The top‑five FedExCup point earners not already qualified, as well as the top‑30 players in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), also receive invitations. These criteria ensure a concentration of elite talent, setting the stage for a highly competitive tournament. **McIlroy’s decision to skip** Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish six‑time major champion who captured his second Masters title in April, announced that he would not travel to Miami for the inaugural Cadillac Championship.

After his Masters triumph, McIlroy opted to take a brief hiatus to rest and recharge, a decision that aligns with the modern trend of top players managing their schedules to avoid burnout. Interestingly, McIlroy was recently seen at a White House state dinner hosted by President Trump, where the president interrupted a speech to laud the golfer’s achievements.

Despite the high‑profile interaction, McIlroy chose to prioritize his own well‑being over participation in the new event. **Who remains in the field?** Even without McIlroy, the roster is stacked with big names.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will be looking to rebound after a recent loss to Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff at the RBC Heritage. Fitzpatrick, now ranked No. 3 globally, is taking a short break after back‑to‑back PGA Tour victories—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, who secured his PGA Tour card for the next two seasons and earned entry into the remaining 2026 signature events, will make his first start as a full Tour member at Doral. Alex Fitzpatrick expressed modest expectations, saying, "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 feel like 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 hope it settles down." Another notable entrant is Justin Rose, who is returning to the PGA Tour after The Masters. Rose recently announced a historic partnership with McLaren Golf, becoming the first golfer to sign with the Formula 1 team’s golf division and will debut his new McLaren‑branded clubs at the event.

**Prize money and FedExCup points** The Cadillac Championship boasts a $20 million prize pool, with the champion slated to receive $3.6 million. The runner‑up will earn $2.18 million, while even the player who finishes last will take home $40,200. In addition to the cash, the tournament offers a massive FedExCup points haul: the winner will collect 700 points, which could dramatically shift the season‑long race.

**Broadcast details** Sky Sports will provide comprehensive live coverage of all four rounds. The first two rounds will be shown on Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m.

on Sky Sports Golf, with full‑round coverage moving to Sky Sports Main Event at 11 p.m. The final two rounds will air on Saturday and Sunday, also beginning at 4 p.m.

on Sky Sports Golf. Viewers can also stream the action without a contract through Sky’s streaming service. **Conclusion** The Cadillac Championship promises to be a landmark event for the PGA Tour, offering a high‑stakes, no‑cut format that brings together the sport’s elite on one of the most challenging courses in the United States.

While Rory McIlroy’s decision to sit out adds a note of intrigue, the field remains deep, featuring world‑class talent such as Scottie Scheffler, the Fitzpatrick brothers, Justin Rose, and many others. With a $20 million purse, 700 FedExCup points on the line, and the storied Blue Monster demanding flawless execution, the tournament is set to deliver drama, excitement, and perhaps a new champion who can tame the Blue Monster’s relentless challenges.