The PGA Tour is back at Trump National Doral, and it's making a big splash: The Cadillac Championship, a brand-new Signature Event with a whopping $20 million prize fund. But shortly before the tee-off from May 1st to 4th, 2026, we ask ourselves: Where have the superstars gone? The lineup has some gaps that are causing quite a stir.
It's almost a shock for many golfers: Five of the top-15 players in the world rankings are missing. Most notably, Rory McIlroy, the world No. 2, and Xander Schauffele are not teeing it up. Although world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is making an appearance, a direct duel between the top 2? No chance! This is already the second Signature Event after the Masters where the two are not facing each other. This smells like missed matchup opportunities for us fans.
Doral Calling – But Where Are the Stars?
The debate rages: Is this a flaw in the Signature Event system or simply the harsh reality after the grueling Masters? Many players feel that the sequence of three tough courses before the PGA Championship is simply too much. Justin Thomas put it succinctly: "Many guys wouldn't want it this way." Rory McIlroy, fresh off his 2026 Masters victory, is taking a break – for the second consecutive Signature Event. Memories are stirred of 2023, when two withdrawals cost him a $3 million fine.
Schedule Congestion or a Message?
The whole thing is a real dilemma. Signature Events are supposed to gather the best players and deliver epic duels. But when the crème de la crème withdraws en masse, the question of their purpose arises. Is it just the packed schedule that's slowing the guys down? Or is there perhaps more to it, as some speculate – perhaps a political message regarding the Trump club, which Rory once called a 'legend' after his Masters win?
