The Cadillac Championship has quickly become the PGA Tour's newest marquee tournament, and this year it makes its debut at the Trump National Doral resort in Miami. While the event promises a star‑studded field and a $20 million purse, one of golf’s biggest names, Rory McIlroy, has decided to sit out.
Below is a comprehensive overview of the tournament, the venue, the qualification criteria, and the key players who will be competing, along with some background on why the event matters for the Tour and what fans can expect when they tune in via Sky Sports. ### What Is the Cadillac Championship? The Cadillac Championship is a brand‑new signature event on the PGA Tour calendar, introduced as part of the Tour’s strategy to concentrate more of the world’s elite players into a handful of high‑profile tournaments.
It should not be confused with the former WGC‑Cadillac Championship, which also took place at Doral from 2007 to 2016. This iteration is a stand‑alone competition, scheduled to run from April 3‑7, 2026, and it will feature a no‑cut format: all 72 invited golfers will play all four rounds, and even the player who finishes last will still receive a paycheck. ### Why Is McIlroy Skipping?
Rory McIlroy, the Northern Irish major champion who captured his second Masters title in April, announced that he would take a brief hiatus after his triumph. The timing coincides with the Cadillac Championship, and McIlroy has chosen to rest rather than travel to Miami.
His decision comes just days after he attended a White House state dinner hosted by President Donald Trump, where Trump praised McIlroy’s six major victories. The break allows McIlroy to recuperate after a demanding season and perhaps focus on upcoming majors. ### The Venue: Trump National Doral – The Blue Monster Trump National Doral, purchased by the former president in 2012 for roughly $150 million, comprises four courses, each named after a colour. The flagship course, known as the Blue Monster, is a 7,500‑yard, par‑72 layout that has long been regarded as one of the toughest tests in the United States.
Its name reflects both the original “Blue” tee designation and the daunting challenge it presents: extensive water hazards, strategically placed bunkers, and wind‑swept fairways that can punish even the most accurate shots. Former PGA Tour winner Adam Scott, who last won at Doral in 2016, summed up the course’s reputation: “It’s called the Blue Monster for a reason.
It’s a big, very penal course. The wind can blow, and that’s the biggest challenge out here. You have to strike it well from tee to green.
It’s great that we’re back.” The Blue Monster has also hosted several LIV Golf events, most recently the 2025 LIV Golf Miami tournament, which saw Marc Leishman edge out 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel by a single stroke. ### How Players Earn Their Spots The Cadillac Championship will feature 72 of the world’s top golfers, selected through a blend of automatic qualifications and ranking‑based exemptions: - **Top‑50 FedExCup points** from the previous season automatically receive an invitation. - **2026 PGA Tour winners** are granted an exemption, ensuring that any player who captured a title during the current year can compete.
- **AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings** provide additional pathways: the top‑10 players on the FedExCup list who are not already exempt, plus the top‑5 FedExCup point earners not otherwise qualified, earn spots. - **Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) top‑30** players are also invited, guaranteeing that the highest‑ranked golfers worldwide take part.
This inclusive yet selective system is designed to bring together the sport’s elite while still offering opportunities for rising stars. ### Notable Competitors and Storylines Even without McIlroy, the field is stacked with talent and compelling narratives: - **World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler** will look to rebound after a narrow loss to Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff at the RBC Heritage two weeks earlier. A victory at Doral could re‑establish his dominance.
- **Matt Fitzpatrick**, now ranked No. 3, is taking a brief break after a remarkable stretch that included back‑to‑back PGA Tour wins—the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (a team event he won with his brother Alex) and another tournament that made him the first player since Scheffler in 2024 to win consecutive events. - **Alex Fitzpatrick**, fresh off earning a two‑year Tour card and a place in the remaining 2026 signature events, will make his first start as a full PGA Tour member at Doral.
He expressed modest expectations, noting, “I just hope I hit the fairway on the first tee and let the rest unfold. My game feels good, and I’m excited to see where it takes me this week.” - **Justin Rose** returns to the Tour after the Masters and becomes the inaugural golfer to sign with McLaren Golf, a partnership that will see him debut a brand‑new set of clubs built by the Formula 1 team’s affiliate. These storylines, along with the presence of other top‑ranked players, ensure a high‑stakes competition.
### Prize Money and FedExCup Points The tournament boasts a $20 million prize pool, with the champion slated to earn $3.6 million (approximately £2.67 million). The runner‑up will collect $2.18 million, while even the player who finishes last will walk away with $40,200. In addition to the cash, FedExCup points are on the line: the winner will receive 700 points, a substantial boost toward the season‑long race. ### Broadcast Details Sky Sports will provide 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 beginning at 11 p.m. on Sky Sports Main Event.
The weekend rounds will air on Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf. Viewers can also stream the action without a contract through Sky Sports’ online platform. ### What to Expect The Cadillac Championship promises a blend of drama, skill, and spectacle.
The no‑cut format means every player will have a chance to climb the leaderboard over four days, and the sizable purse guarantees that even the lower‑ranked competitors have something significant to play for. Fans can look forward to seeing how the world’s best handle the Blue Monster’s water hazards, bunkers, and wind, as well as watching emerging talents like Alex Fitzpatrick test themselves against seasoned veterans. Whether you are a casual observer or a die‑hard golf enthusiast, the inaugural Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral offers a compelling narrative: a new signature event, a legendary course, and a field brimming with stories waiting to unfold.
Tune in to Sky Sports for comprehensive coverage and witness who will emerge as the first champion of this high‑profile tournament.