The Cadillac Championship is the PGA Tour's newest marquee tournament, staged at the Trump National Doral resort in Miami. It marks the first time the tour has introduced a signature event on this particular course, which is best known for its famed "Blue Monster" layout.
While the tournament promises a $20 million prize fund and a field packed with world‑class talent, Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy has decided to sit out, choosing instead to rest after his recent triumph at the Masters. The event arrives just days after Donald Trump’s Turnberry Golf Club failed to secure a slot on the Open Championship rotation.
All eyes now shift to his other high‑profile property, the Doral Resort, which he bought in 2012 for roughly $150 million (£111 million). The purchase included four distinct courses, the most famous of which is the 7,500‑yard, par‑72 "Blue Monster".
This demanding layout is littered with deep water hazards, strategically placed bunkers on the fairways and around the greens, and can become treacherous when the Miami wind picks up. Its reputation for testing even the best players earned it the nickname "Blue Monster"—originally the "Blue" course because players traditionally teed off from blue tees, and later because its sheer difficulty can dominate even the most skilled golfers.
The Cadillac Championship should not be confused with the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship, which also took place at Doral between 2007 and 2016. The modern incarnation is part of the PGA Tour’s broader strategy to create more high‑profile, no‑cut events that bring together the sport’s elite on a regular basis. The Tour’s headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach recently expanded the calendar to feature eight "signature" tournaments, and the Cadillac Championship was born out of that initiative. Eligibility for the field is tightly controlled.
All of the top‑50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup points list receive automatic invitations, as do any players who have claimed a PGA Tour victory in the 2026 season. Additional spots are allocated through the AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings, which reward the highest‑ranked FedExCup players not already exempt, as well as the top‑five FedExCup point earners who are still outside the exemption criteria. Finally, the top‑30 players in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) are guaranteed a place.
In total, 72 of the world’s best golfers will line up at Doral, and because the tournament is a no‑cut event, every participant will play all four rounds, even the player who finishes last, who will still collect a modest $40,200 (£29,808) check. The prize pool is substantial: the champion will pocket $3.6 million (£2.67 million) and 700 FedExCup points, second place receives $2.18 million (£1.56 million), and the payouts continue down the leaderboard. The event will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with Thursday and Friday’s opening rounds starting at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf and moving to Sky Sports Main Event at 11 p.m.
for full‑round coverage. The weekend rounds will also air on Sky Sports Golf from 4 p.m. each day. Rory McIlroy’s decision to skip the tournament follows his Masters victory in early April, a win that earned him his second green jacket of the year.
After celebrating at the White House state dinner—where President Trump interrupted a speech to laud the six‑time major champion—McIlroy announced he would take a brief hiatus rather than jump straight into another high‑stakes competition. His absence opens a space for other stars to make a statement. 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 rankings, is also sitting out, having just completed a historic back‑to‑back PGA Tour win streak—the first such feat since Scheffler’s run 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, who secured a two‑year Tour card and entry to the remaining 2026 signature events with that victory, will make his PGA Tour debut at Doral.
He expressed modest expectations, saying he hopes to hit the fairway off the tee and let his recent form carry him through the week. Another notable return is English veteran Justin Rose, who is set to compete after his appearance at the Masters.
Rose recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with McLaren Golf, becoming the first golfer to sign with the Formula 1‑linked brand. He will debut the new McLaren‑engineered clubs at the Cadillac Championship, adding a technological storyline to the competition. The Blue Monster itself has a storied history beyond the PGA Tour.
It has hosted multiple LIV Golf events, including the 2025 LIV Golf Miami tournament where Marc Leishman edged out 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel by a single shot. The course’s reputation for penalizing wayward shots and rewarding precise ball‑striking makes it a true test of skill, as former Doral champion Adam Scott noted: "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." In summary, the inaugural Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral promises a blend of high drama, substantial financial rewards, and a chance for emerging talents like Alex Fitzpatrick to showcase their abilities alongside established stars such as Scheffler and Rose. While McIlroy’s absence will be felt, the tournament’s no‑cut format ensures that every invited player will have a full four‑day opportunity to compete for the coveted title and a hefty share of the $20 million purse.
Fans can follow every swing and putt live on Sky Sports, beginning with Thursday’s first round at 4 p.m., and witness who ultimately conquers the Blue Monster in this landmark PGA Tour signature event.