The Cadillac Championship is the PGA Tour's latest signature tournament, staged at the Trump National Doral resort in Miami, Florida. It marks the first time the Tour has christened a new marquee event under the Cadillac banner, and it should not be confused with the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship, which was also held at Doral from 2007 through 2016. The new event is part of the Tour's broader strategy to create more high‑profile gatherings where the sport's elite can face off on a regular basis. By expanding the schedule to eight signature stops, the PGA Tour hopes to give fans more opportunities to watch the best players compete head‑to‑head throughout the season.
Trump National Doral, purchased by former President Donald Trump in 2012 for roughly $150 million (£111 million), comprises four distinct courses, the most famous of which is the Blue Monster. This 7,500‑yard, par‑72 layout has a reputation for being both beautiful and brutally demanding.
Its design features a series of deep water hazards, strategically placed bunkers that guard the landing zones on the fairways, and a series of greens that require precise approach shots. The name "Blue Monster" originally derived from the course’s original designation as the "Blue" course and the blue‑colored tees that players used. Over time, the moniker stuck because of the course’s sheer size and its ability to challenge even the most accomplished golfers.
The Blue Monster has also become a regular venue for LIV Golf events, most recently hosting the 2025 LIV Golf Miami tournament where Marc Leishman edged out 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel by a single stroke. The course’s reputation for testing every facet of a player's game makes it a fitting home for a new signature event that promises a $20 million (£14.8 million) prize fund. The winner will pocket $3.6 million (£2.67 million) and earn 700 FedExCup points, while even the last‑place finisher will leave with a respectable $40,200 (£29,808) cheque. Eligibility for the Cadillac Championship is tightly controlled.
All 72 spots are filled by a mixture of automatic qualifiers and discretionary invites. The top 50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup points list receive automatic invitations, as do any golfers who have claimed a PGA Tour victory in the 2026 season. Additional pathways include the AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings, which grant places to the highest‑ranked players on the FedExCup leaderboard who have not already qualified.
The top five FedExCup point earners who are still exempt‑free also gain entry, as do the 30 highest‑ranked players in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR). The event is a no‑cut tournament, meaning every participant will play all four rounds, and the field will stay intact from Thursday through Sunday. One of the most talked‑about absences from the field is Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy. After securing his second Masters title in early April, McIlroy announced he would sit out the Cadillac Championship to enjoy a brief respite.
His decision comes after a high‑profile appearance at a White House state dinner, where President Trump interrupted a speech to lavish praise on the six‑time major champion. McIlroy’s withdrawal opens the door for other big names to dominate the leaderboard. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, fresh off a narrow playoff loss to Matt Fitzpatrick at the RBC Heritage, will be looking to rebound on the Miami stage.
Fitzpatrick, who currently sits at No. 3 in the world, is also taking a 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. Alex Fitzpatrick, having secured his tour card for the next two seasons, will make his debut as a full PGA Tour member at the Cadillac Championship.
He expressed modest expectations, noting that his primary goal is to hit solid fairways and let his recent form carry him through the tournament. Another notable return is that of England’s Justin Rose, who is set to debut a brand‑new set of clubs supplied by McLaren Golf, the automotive giant’s venture into the golf equipment market.
Rose’s partnership with McLaren makes him the first golfer to sign with the Formula 1‑linked brand, and he hopes the cutting‑edge technology will give him an edge on the demanding Doral layout. The tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports across all four days. Coverage of the first two rounds begins on Thursday and Friday at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf, with full‑round replays airing on Sky Sports Main Event at 11 p.m.
The weekend rounds will be shown on Sky Sports Golf starting at 4 p.m. each day. Viewers can also stream the action without a contract through Sky’s streaming platform, provided they use a Chrome browser for optimal video performance. In summary, the Cadillac Championship offers a hefty purse, valuable FedExCup points, and a chance for the sport’s biggest stars to showcase their talents on a notoriously tough course.
With McIlroy sitting out, the field is wide open for players like Scheffler, the Fitzpatrick brothers, and Justin Rose to make a statement. The event also underscores the PGA Tour’s commitment to expanding its signature series, delivering high‑stakes competition that fans can follow week after week.
Whether you’re a casual viewer or a die‑hard golf aficionado, the four‑day showdown at the Blue Monster promises drama, skill, and plenty of unforgettable moments.