The return of the PGA Tour to Trump National Doral in 2026 was a resounding fiasco that is sending shockwaves through the world of professional golf. What should have been a signature event, with a $20 million prize and the best players on the planet competing, turned into a dismal sight: empty stands, a nearly deserted course, and an atmosphere that felt more like a practice session than a final of an elite tournament.
Cameron Young was the big winner, taking home $3.6 million with a brilliant display, but few had the opportunity to witness his triumph live. Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, finished 13 under par, six strokes behind the leader, sharing second place, but even with names like Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa playing, the stands remained notably sparsely populated.
Even before the competition began, the list of absentees was already concerning: five of the top 15 players in the world, including heavyweights like Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Matt Fitzpatrick, chose not to attend. This was the highest number of absences from the top 15 at a signature event since the format was created, a clear sign of the crisis plaguing the event.
The history of Doral does not help: it was here that Tiger Woods built his legend, winning the iconic Blue Monster four times between 2005 and 2013, filling the stands and creating an electrifying atmosphere. The contrast with the current scene is stark and impossible to ignore.
Meanwhile, the rivalry between the PGA Tour and the Saudi league LIV Golf is becoming increasingly evident. When the PGA Tour abandoned Doral in 2016, LIV took over the venue, promoting four consecutive events from 2022 to 2025 with a much more appealing fan experience – free parking, post-game concerts, and a true festival atmosphere for spectators. Images from these events showed vibrant crowds and a lively environment, something the PGA Tour has failed to replicate even after regaining control of the tournament.
To exacerbate the situation, the PGA Tour implemented strict security controls similar to those of the TSA in the United States, which significantly increased wait times and deterred many potential spectators. This decision, justified by the Secret Service, turned out to be yet another self-inflicted wound for an already fragile event.
Brian Rolapp, CEO of the PGA Tour, tried to sell the return to Doral as the beginning “of a new era” for fans in Miami, but the reaction on social media was devastating. Outraged comments pointed to the event as a true humiliation for the PGA and its sponsor Cadillac, which had already severed ties with the tournament in 2016. The irony is that Donald Trump remains the owner of the course, and the brand has re-associated itself with the event in a context of empty stands and widespread disinterest.
Fans did not hold back their criticism, referring to the event as a “disgrace” and questioning the timing of the tournament, which coincided with the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Miami and the Kentucky Derby, two events that attracted much larger crowds. Additionally, the high temperatures typical of early summer in South Florida did not help draw crowds to the course.
The replacement of the Mexico Open with the Cadillac Championship in Doral in the 2026 calendar was widely criticized, especially as it is scheduled between two consecutive weeks of intense competition, something that pleases neither players nor fans. Adam Scott, a board member of the Tour, admitted that the decision was not ideal.
The price of tickets also did not help attract spectators, with daily passes costing $88, more expensive than the upcoming TOUR Championship at Quail Hollow. Comparisons with other events, such as the WM Phoenix Open, which attracts between 500,000 to 700,000 fans during tournament week, make Doral’s failure even more evident.
In summary, the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral was a disaster for the PGA Tour, tarnishing the image of the circuit and raising questions about the future of the tournament at this venue. With visibly empty stands and a general lack of enthusiasm, the return to Doral was marked more by the absence of spectators and discontent than by the quality of play. Cameron Young may have shone on the course, but off it, the reality is bitter and concerning for professional golf in the United States.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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