The Cadillac Championship is the PGA Tour's latest marquee tournament, staged for the first time at Donald Trump’s Trump National Doral in Miami. The event, which debuted this week, is not a revival of the former WGC-Cadillac Championship that was held at Doral from 2007 to 2016, but a brand‑new "signature" stop designed to bring more of the world’s elite players together on a regular basis. The Tour’s headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach has expanded its calendar to feature eight signature events, and the Cadillac Championship is the newest addition. Trump purchased the Doral Resort in 2012 for roughly $150 million, acquiring four courses, the most famous of which is the Blue Monster.
The Blue Monster is a daunting 7,500‑yard, par‑72 layout that has long been a proving ground for top‑ranked golfers. Its design incorporates extensive water hazards, strategically placed bunkers that guard both fairways and greens, and a wind‑swept atmosphere that can turn a routine shot into a nightmare. The course earned its nickname not only because of the blue tees originally used by competitors but also because its sheer scale and difficulty can "tame" even the most accomplished players. Former PGA Tour champion Adam Scott, who won the last Tour event at Doral in 2016, summed up the challenge: "It's called the Blue Monster for a reason.
It’s a big, very penal course. The wind can be brutal, so you have to strike the ball well from tee to green.
It’s demanding, but it’s great to be back." This week, 72 of the sport’s biggest names have been invited to compete. The Cadillac Championship is a no‑cut event, meaning every participant will play all four rounds regardless of score, and even the player who finishes last will receive a modest paycheck. The field is assembled through several eligibility pathways: the top 50 players from the previous year’s FedExCup points list automatically qualify, as do any golfers who claim a PGA Tour victory in 2026. Additional spots are allocated via the AON Next 10 and AON Swing 5 rankings, which reward the highest‑ranked players on the FedExCup who have not already earned an exemption, as well as the top five FedExCup point earners who are still unqualified.
Finally, the top 30 players in the Official World Golf Rankings also receive invitations. One notable absentee is Rory McIlroy, who decided to sit out the tournament after celebrating his second Masters triumph in April. The Northern Irish star recently attended a White House state dinner hosted by President Trump, where Trump interrupted a speech to lavish praise on the six‑time major champion.
McIlroy chose to use the week as a brief rest period rather than compete at Doral. Despite McIlroy’s decision, the roster remains stacked.
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, will also be absent, having taken a well‑earned break following consecutive PGA Tour victories – a feat not achieved since Scheffler’s back‑to‑back wins 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 a Tour card for the next two seasons and entry to the remaining 2026 signature events, will make his first start as a full PGA Tour member at Doral.
Alex Fitzpatrick spoke about his mindset heading into the tournament: "I just want to hit the fairway off the tee and take it from there. My game feels solid; I played well last week and have been improving over the past few months.
I have no expectations – it will be a whirlwind, but I hope to settle in as the week goes on." Another headline name is Justin Rose, who is returning to the Tour after The Masters. Rose recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with McLaren Golf, becoming the first golfer to sign with the Formula 1 team’s automotive brand and debuting a new line of clubs crafted by the team’s engineering division. The financial stakes are substantial. The total purse is $20 million (£14.8 million), with the champion slated to pocket $3.6 million (£2.67 million).
Second place will earn $2.18 million (£1.56 million), while even the last‑place finisher will leave with $40,200 (£29,808). In addition to the cash, FedExCup points are on the line, with the winner receiving 700 points, a significant boost toward the season‑long race. Sky Sports will broadcast all four rounds live.
Coverage of the opening Thursday and Friday rounds begins at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf, with a full‑round feed on Sky Sports Main Event at 11 p.m.
The final two rounds will air on Saturday and Sunday from 4 p.m. on Sky Sports Golf.
Fans can also stream the event without a contract through Sky Sports' online platform. In summary, the Cadillac Championship marks a fresh chapter for the PGA Tour, offering a high‑profile, no‑cut competition on one of America’s most challenging courses.
While Rory McIlroy has opted for a brief hiatus, the tournament still promises a thrilling showdown among the sport’s elite, with significant prize money and FedExCup points adding extra incentive. Viewers can catch every moment of the action on Sky Sports, making it easy to follow the drama as it unfolds at the iconic Blue Monster.