Venue, Dates & Start Time
Location: Trump National Doral – Blue Monster Course, Miami, Florida
Tournament Dates: April 30 – May 3, 2026
Format: 72‑hole stroke play, no‑cut, 72‑player signature‑event field
While exact tee times are not listed in retrieved sources, play begins Thursday morning (April 30) as standard PGA Tour scheduling.
Expected Weather Conditions (Miami, Late April–Early May)
No source provided a specific forecast, but Miami’s late‑April climate historically features:
Highs: mid‑80s °F
Humidity: high
Wind: typically 10–15 mph, often a major factor at Doral This aligns with the course’s reputation for wind‑exposed water carries. (Inference based on Miami climate; no direct forecast provided.)
Course Conditions – Blue Monster Breakdown
From multiple sources, the Blue Monster is described as long, punishing, and water‑heavy:
Par 72, 7,739 yards
Greens: TifEagle Bermudagrass, Stimp ~11.5
Fairways/Rough: Bermudagrass, rough approx. 3″
Water in play on 10 holes
Course identity: Demands elite driving, long‑iron precision, and nerve under pressure.
Signature hole: The 18th, a 473‑yard par‑4 with water guarding the entire left side—one of the Tour’s most dramatic finishes.
Tournament History & Context
Doral has hosted PGA Tour events since 1962, including the Doral Open and WGC‑Cadillac Championship.
Last PGA Tour event here: 2016 WGC‑Cadillac Championship, won by Adam Scott.
The 2026 edition marks the Tour’s return after a decade, now as a Signature Event with a $20M purse.
Field & Key Player Matchups
The 72‑player field includes seven of the world’s top 10:
Scottie Scheffler (No. 1)
Cameron Young (No. 4)
Justin Rose (No. 5)
Collin Morikawa (No. 6)
Tommy Fleetwood (No. 7)
Russell Henley (No. 8)
J.J. Spaun (No. 10)
Notable absences: Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Ludvig Åberg, Matt Fitzpatrick (resting ahead of Quail Hollow & PGA Championship).
Featured Matchup Angles
Scheffler vs. Morikawa: Both elite tee‑to‑green; Scheffler leads the field in total strokes gained.
Fleetwood vs. Course Fit: Historically struggled at Doral (71st in 2015 WGC), weaker driving distance and putting metrics—handicappers fading him.
Veterans with Doral wins: Adam Scott (2016), Justin Rose (2012) bring rare course familiarity.
Recent Player Form
Scottie Scheffler: Runner‑up in last two starts (Masters, RBC Heritage), top‑25 in all 2026 events, No. 1 in SG: Tee‑to‑Green.
Collin Morikawa: Two strong starts recently despite back issues; returns after rest week.
Tommy Fleetwood: 33rd at Masters, 52nd at RBC Heritage—form trending down.
