The inaugural Cadillac Championship will feature a limited field of 72 top players from the past two seasons, competing for a share of a $20 million purse.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is enjoying the South Florida climate and is expected to skip next week’s Truist Championship in Charlotte, which is held a week before golf’s second Major of the season.
“I have to set up my schedule in a certain type of cadence. And for me, playing three, four weeks in a row is a challenge,” Scheffler said. “So, when I show up at a tournament, I want to be able to give it my best, and I have to set up my schedule in a certain way and, you know, the chips kind of fall where they do.”
Reigning Tour Championship winner Tommy Fleetwood also chose to be here, as did Adam Scott, who tamed the monster ten years ago, the last time the PGA Tour played at Doral.
“It’s a challenge. It’s called the Blue Monster for a reason. It’s a big golf course, very penal,” Scott said. “The wind can blow, and that’s the biggest challenge out here. So, you’ve got to strike it well, and it’s demanding tee to green. It’s great that we’re back.”
Other major winners set to compete include Justin Thomas, Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, and Jordan Spieth. After four top 15 finishes this season, 32-year-old Spieth has climbed his way back to 50th in the Official World Golf Rankings.
Notable absentees are Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Robert MacIntyre, Ludvig Aberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Last weekend, Fitzpatrick teamed with his younger brother Alex to win in New Orleans, and the 27-year-old is making his first start as a full-time member of the PGA Tour.
“I think the biggest thing for me is to try to enjoy it,” Alex said. “I think this is the first day of school, so I’m just going out to enjoy myself, try to play the golf I feel I can play, and see where that takes me.”
This marks the 56th time the PGA Tour has played here and the second consecutive Signature Event that McIlroy will miss, following his bypass of the RBC Heritage a week after claiming his second career Masters Tournament.
Many pros don’t mind playing three weeks in a row, but those mentioned apparently prefer it not to be a major event.
You can understand the voluntary bye week because the Cadillac is just prior to another elevated event at Quail Hollow, where Rory has had great success, winning four times.
A week later, it’s on to the 107th PGA Championship at Aronimink in the Philadelphia suburbs.
A History Lesson
The original Doral Hotel and Golf Club opened during John F. Kennedy’s presidency, and the Tour held an event here for 45 consecutive years, from 1962 to 2006. The following season, the FedEx Cup was introduced, and the Blue Monster Course hosted a World Golf Championship event through 2016.
Four years earlier, this famed facility was acquired out of bankruptcy by the Trump Organization for $150 million, and, as you might expect, the property was subsequently renamed Trump National Doral Miami. The company completed a $250 million renovation of the 800-acre resort a decade ago.
Cadillac elected not to renew its title sponsorship of the WGC. That, combined with Trump’s inflammatory remarks about immigrants and calls for a ban on some entering the U.S., was characterized as inconsistent with the PGA Tour’s commitment to an inclusive environment.
Then Commissioner Tim Finchem cited funding issues rather than politics, and the inability to find a suitable sponsor at the time was heavily influenced by the Doral brand’s association with Donald Trump.
It was clear that time had healed old wounds when the Tour announced in 2025 that this week’s tournament would be added to the schedule, even before Cadillac returned as title sponsor.
Anticipation Has Been Building
Excitement in Miami has been in the air since that decision was made.
“Golf has always been at the heart of our city’s story,” said Doral Mayor Christi Fraga.
“It’ll be a vibrant week featuring incredible golf and an electric atmosphere. We can’t wait to celebrate the Tour’s return to Miami alongside the community,” said Vice President and Executive Director Dave Mack, who left a 13-year career with the Miami Dolphins to help launch and grow this event.
The tournament is also planning a variety of family-focused and fan-first experiences for attendees.
The Cadillac Championship on TV and Streaming:
The 2026 Cadillac Championship, April 27–May 3, at Trump National Doral, will be televised by CBS and Golf Channel, with streaming on Paramount+ and PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+.
Coverage includes early-round action on Golf Channel, weekend play on CBS, and live feeds on Paramount+.
