Cameron Young continues to dominate the Cadillac Championship after two days of competition, solidifying his position at the top of the leaderboard with a total of 13 under par. The Australian’s impressive opening round was followed by another strong showing, allowing him to maintain a comfortable cushion heading into the weekend. Young’s only slip on the card came in the form of a single bogey on the par‑four 14th, a mis‑hit that resulted from a tricky side‑hill chip that failed to find the putting surface.
Even so, the mistake barely dented his advantage. Two holes later he recovered spectacularly, launching a precise tee shot onto the green on the par‑four 16th and calmly sinking a two‑putt for his 14th birdie of the tournament, effectively erasing the earlier error. "There’s a lot of golf to be played on a difficult golf course, but so far I’ve played well," Young said after his round, reflecting on the challenges presented by the reinstated Blue Monster at Trump National Doral in Miami. The course, which returned to the PGA Tour schedule for the first time since 2016, demanded a combination of power and precision, and Young’s performance demonstrated that he possesses both in abundance.
His opening round on Thursday was a blistering eight‑under‑par 64, which set the tone for the event. He followed that with a solid 67 on Friday, keeping his total at 13 under and establishing a five‑stroke lead over the rest of the field. The gap gave him a comfortable buffer as the tournament moves into its crucial weekend stages.
World number one Scottie Scheffler, who paired with Young on Friday, posted a bogey‑free 67 of his own. Despite the clean round, Scheffler remained seven shots off the pace, a reminder of how dominant Young has been so far. "I definitely need to not get further away," Scheffler admitted, emphasizing his focus on staying close to the leader while adapting to the course’s nuances. Other notable performers include American Alex Smalley, who sits five shots behind Young at nine under, and a shared third place between Canada’s Nick Taylor and fellow American Jordan Spieth, both at eight under.
England’s Alex Fitzpatrick made a significant leap up the leaderboard, climbing 31 spots to tie for sixth with a six‑under‑par 66, marking a remarkable turnaround. Fitzpatrick’s ascent comes just a week after his dramatic victory at the Zurich Classic alongside his brother Matt, a win that secured his PGA Tour membership.
Speaking about his recent form, Fitzpatrick said, "The text messages and stuff have slowed down, but the overwhelming feeling of joy and happiness is still there." He described the upcoming weeks as a "whirlwind" that he hopes will culminate in success, noting the surge of congratulations from fellow players, caddies, and staff. Originally slated for a Sunday night flight from New Orleans to Turkey for the DP World Tour event, Fitzpatrick changed his plans at the last minute to join the Cadillac Championship in Miami, underscoring his commitment to the new $20 million signature tournament. He dubbed the experience "the first day of school," indicating that he is getting a real taste of life on the PGA Tour. His performance over the two days reflects that attitude.
After a roller‑coaster Thursday that saw five birdies offset by five bogeys, resulting in an even‑par 72, Fitzpatrick turned the tables on Friday with a flawless six‑birdie, bogey‑free round of 66. "It feels like I’m doing the right things with my golf game," he said, noting that his recent improvements have finally translated onto the course.
"I feel in control of my ball, which is nice. I hope to keep hitting fairways and greens and see what the weekend brings." The tournament’s schedule continues with the third round slated to start at 4 p.m. on Saturday, broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf.
Fans can also stream the event without a contract, ensuring broad accessibility to the action. Beyond the competition itself, the Cadillac Championship offers spectators the chance to book tee times at over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, providing a convenient way to experience world‑class golf firsthand.
As the field prepares for the decisive weekend, all eyes remain on Young to see if he can sustain his lead, while challengers like Scheffler, Smalley, Taylor, Spieth, and the surging Fitzpatrick aim to close the gap and create a thrilling finish.