The inaugural Cadillac Championship is set to ignite Miami this week, featuring a select field of 72 elite players from the past two seasons vying for a substantial $20 million prize purse.
Headlining the competition is world number one Scottie Scheffler. He will be joined by the reigning Tour Championship winner, Tommy Fleetwood, and Adam Scott, a past champion at this venue who clinched victory the last time the PGA Tour visited Doral a decade ago. The star-studded lineup also includes major champions such as Justin Thomas, Shane Lowry, and Justin Rose.
Notably absent from the tournament are Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Robert MacIntyre, Ludvig Aberg, and Matt Fitzpatrick, all of whom are ranked within the top 15 of the Official World Golf Rankings. This marks the 56th PGA Tour event to be held at this location and the second consecutive Signature Event that McIlroy will skip, following his decision to bypass the RBC Heritage shortly after securing his second career Masters Tournament title.
While many professionals are accustomed to playing three consecutive weeks, the aforementioned players appear to have opted out of this particular stretch. This voluntary break is understandable given the timing of the Cadillac Championship, which precedes another elevated event, the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow. This, in turn, is immediately followed by the PGA Championship at Aronimink, located in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
The historic Doral Hotel and Golf Club, which first opened during the presidency of John F. Kennedy, hosted PGA Tour events for 45 consecutive years from 1962 to 2006. Following the introduction of the FedEx Cup, the renowned Blue Monster Course served as the venue for a World Golf Championship event until 2016. Several years prior, the Trump Organization acquired the property out of bankruptcy for $150 million, subsequently renaming it Trump National Doral Miami. The resort, spanning 800 acres, underwent a significant $250 million renovation approximately a decade ago.
Cadillac’s decision not to renew its title sponsorship of the WGC, coupled with controversial remarks made by Donald Trump regarding immigrants and a proposed ban on certain entries into the U.S., were seen as conflicting with the PGA Tour’s commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. At the time, then-Commissioner Tim Finchem attributed the situation to funding issues rather than politics, with the Doral brand’s association with Donald Trump heavily influencing the difficulty in securing a suitable sponsor.
The PGA Tour’s announcement in 2025 that this week’s tournament would be reinstated on the schedule, even before Cadillac’s return as title sponsor, signaled that past issues had been resolved. The anticipation for the event has been palpable in Miami since that decision was made.
Doral Mayor Christi Fraga expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “Golf has always been at the heart of our city’s story, and for decades, the Tour played a key role in putting Doral on the map.”
Dave Mack, Vice President and Executive Director, who transitioned from a 13-year career with the Miami Dolphins to spearhead the event’s launch and growth, added, “It’ll be a vibrant week featuring incredible golf and an electric atmosphere, and we can’t wait to celebrate the Tour’s return to Miami alongside the community.” The tournament also has plans to offer a variety of family-oriented and fan-centric experiences for attendees.
The Cadillac Championship on TV and Streaming:
The 2026 Cadillac Championship, scheduled from April 27th to May 3rd at Trump National Doral, will be broadcast on CBS and Golf Channel. Streaming options will be available on Paramount+ and PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+. Coverage will feature early-round action on Golf Channel, weekend play on CBS, and live feeds on Paramount+.
