The PGA Tour's highly anticipated return to Trump National Doral's Blue Monster course has turned into a public relations headache. While the Cadillac Championship marks the first time since 2016 that the tour has visited the iconic venue, the atmosphere this Saturday is anything but electric. Social media is buzzing with complaints about a nearly empty course, and fans are pointing fingers at everything from scheduling conflicts to ticket prices.
Before the tournament even teed off Thursday, the excitement took a hit when several top golfers—including Masters champion Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, and Xander Schauffele—pulled out. Many are reportedly prepping for the upcoming Truist Championship in May. The absence of these stars has left the field feeling thin, and the crowd seems to reflect that lack of star power.
One fan on social media didn't hold back: “There are virtually no fans at the Cadillac Championship at Doral. Is this a Trump boycott? Tickets too high? Who sets the prices? Single day ticket is $88. Tickets too high next weeks Truist at Quail Hollow are $84. Not much different.” The criticism didn't stop there. Another fan pointed to the crowded sports calendar: “The scheduling on this is terrible. F1 is this weekend in Miami, which has all sorts of big ancillary events and creates tons of traffic. This is also the first week of summer temperatures we’ve started to have so it’s hot. Kentucky Derby this weekend is also big at the race tracks in South FL. Just a really bad spot on the schedule.”
The Trump factor has also stirred debate. Some fans are questioning whether the political climate is keeping people away, while others blame the PGA Tour for poor planning. “The fact that nobody at the PGAT office expected this with an F1 race two miles up the road AND on Kentucky Derby weekend just shows that nobody at the PGAT office knows how to schedule at all,” one frustrated fan wrote.
The overall vibe has been described as flat. A social media user summed it up: “The Cadillac Championship feels flat, from the atmosphere, energy and crowd size. The golf course set also appears uninspiring. It does not feel like a signature event at all.”
Adding to the challenges, the PGA Tour announced new TSA-style security measures for the final two rounds. According to a press release, “Travel times to access the course and Trump National Doral property could significantly increase, so ticketed attendees are strongly encouraged to arrive to the course earlier than planned. Enhanced security screenings will be conducted prior to entry by the Secret Service Uniformed Division.” Spectators will face screenings at the Main Entry, Downtown Doral Entry, and select on-course areas. The release also noted that due to the U.S. Secret Service protectee, there may be additional restricted or prohibited items for the weekend.
While the security measures might have discouraged some fans, the bigger issue is likely the competition for attention. The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix is happening just two miles away this Sunday, and the Kentucky Derby is also drawing crowds. With so many major events vying for the same weekend, the Cadillac Championship seems to have been left in the dust.
For context, the PGA Tour's return to Doral has been overshadowed by multiple high-profile withdrawals and the ongoing controversy surrounding the venue. As the tournament struggles to find its footing, questions about the tour's scheduling decisions and the event's long-term viability are only growing louder.
