The PGA Tour makes its long-awaited return to Trump National Doral this week, but the star power fans expected is noticeably absent. Nine marquee names have opted out of the Cadillac Championship, leaving the field a bit thinner than anticipated.
Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Tony Finau, Matt Fitzpatrick, Robert MacIntyre, and Marco Penge are all skipping the event at the iconic Blue Monster course. The decision comes despite a hefty $20 million purse up for grabs.
So why are so many top players passing on the chance to compete at Trump National Doral? The answer appears to be strategic scheduling. The Truist Championship, another signature event, tees off May 7 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. With the PGA Championship looming, McIlroy and others are using Quail Hollow as their tune-up for the season's second major.
While some fans might speculate about other reasons—perhaps fueled by recent headlines like the massive gold statue of Trump that leaked ahead of the return—the reality is more straightforward: players are prioritizing their preparation for a major championship.
It's not all bad news for Doral, though. Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, and Cameron Young are among the big names still committed to teeing off this week. Their presence ensures the tournament retains some elite firepower, even if the field isn't as loaded as it could have been.
Trump National Doral last hosted a PGA Tour event in 2016, and its return as a signature event was confirmed last August. The course has a storied history, once hosting what many considered a can't-miss event on the calendar. But this week, the spotlight shifts as much to who's not playing as to who is.
For golf fans, the absence of these nine players is a letdown, but it also underscores the grueling nature of the modern tour schedule. With the PGA Championship just weeks away, every decision carries weight. The Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club, a course familiar to many pros, offers a perfect proving ground before the year's second major.
In the meantime, Doral will have to make do with a slightly less star-studded lineup. Whether that affects the buzz around the tournament remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure: the Blue Monster will still test the best of those who show up.
