The PGA Tour returns to Trump National Doral’s Blue Monster course this week for the 2026 Cadillac Championship, a Signature Event featuring a $20 million purse and a strong field of top-ranked players. However, the tournament will proceed without several high-profile names, including Rory McIlroy, who is not in the field.
That absence has shifted attention toward other contenders, including Jordan Spieth, who enters the week searching for form after a slow start to the 2026 season. Spieth has not won since April 2022 and now faces added urgency, having also lost his 10-year exemption into the U.S. Open following his 2015 victory.
Despite recent struggles, Spieth will have a notable boost at Doral. The PGA Tour confirmed he will be paired with longtime friend Justin Thomas for the first two rounds, a grouping that could influence both players as they look to reset their seasons.
Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas Pairing at PGA Tour Cadillac Championship Provides Key Boost
GettyJordan Spieth paired with best friend Justin Thomas for the Cadillac Championship
The pairing of Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas stands out as one of the featured groups for the opening two rounds at the Cadillac Championship. According to the PGA Tour, “There’s likely no duo in the field that has played together more in their lives than Spieth and Thomas.”
The two players have known each other since they were teenagers and have maintained a close relationship throughout their professional careers. That familiarity is expected to bring Spieth a level of comfort as he attempts to regain consistency in his game.
Both players are also seeking improved results. Spieth’s recent finishes include T62, T12, and T33, while Thomas has recorded T30, T41, and T77 in his last three starts. Their shared competitive history could provide an added edge.
The dynamic between the two is shaped by both friendship and rivalry. They have consistently pushed each other during competition. That competitive element is expected to remain a factor at Trump National Doral.
The Cadillac Championship marks a key opportunity for Spieth to change the trajectory of his season. With no cut in the Signature Event format, he will have four rounds to build momentum against a high-level field.
Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young Headline Cadillac Championship Field at Trump National Doral
GettyCameron Young and Scottie Scheffler
While Spieth and Thomas draw attention, the field remains anchored by top-ranked players. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is paired with Cameron Young, the No. 4-ranked player, in another marquee grouping for the opening rounds.
Scheffler enters the tournament following back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Masters and RBC Heritage. Young returns to Florida looking to build on his performances earlier in the season.
Additional featured groups include Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood, as well as Chris Gotterup and Hideki Matsuyama. Gotterup is one of two players with multiple wins on the PGA Tour this season, while Matsuyama ranks among the top 20 in several key statistical categories.
Despite the absence of Rory McIlroy and other notable names, such as Ludvig Aberg and Xander Schauffele, the event still features a competitive field. The tournament also marks the PGA Tour’s return to Trump National Doral for the first time in a decade.
The Cadillac Championship runs from April 30 to May 3, with coverage available on Golf Channel, CBS, and PGA Tour Live on ESPN+. The later stages of the week will determine whether Spieth can translate his favorable pairing into a meaningful result as he looks to reestablish himself among the tour’s top performers.
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