haciendadelalamogolfresort.co.uk

Menu
Rent Our Apartment

2026 Cadillac Championship: Your Ultimate Guide to Thursday's Showdown at Doral

—

Alright, let’s cut to the chase. The 2026 Cadillac Championship is kicking off, and you want to know who’s teeing off when and where, right? It’s Thursday, April 30th, and Trump National Doral is the battlefield. We’re talking about a serious purse here, $20 million, and some of the biggest names in golf are ready to rumble. Forget the fluff, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of who’s playing and when you can catch all the action. This isn’t just another tournament; it’s a Signature Event, meaning the stakes are higher, the field is stacked, and the drama is practically guaranteed.

One of the more interesting storylines heading into this event is Alex Fitzpatrick. Just a week ago, the guy was on the DP World Tour, with no clear shot at the big-time PGA Tour events, especially not these big-money Signature ones. Then, bam! He teams up with his brother, Matt Fitzpatrick, wins the Zurich Classic, and suddenly, Alex has a PGA Tour card and a spot in all the remaining Signature Events for 2026. So, while Matt’s taking a breather this week, Alex is front and center, ready to mix it up with the absolute best. He’s not just there to make up the numbers; he’s gunning for that piece of the massive prize money.

The Big Names and Their Starting Gates

You’ve got World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in the house, as you’d expect. He’s always a favorite, and seeing him navigate Doral’s challenges is always a masterclass. Then there’s Alex Fitzpatrick, making his Signature Event debut. He’s set to tee off at 1:20 p.m. ET, alongside Nico Echavarria. It’ll be fascinating to see how he handles the pressure cooker of playing against the game’s elite. This is his chance to prove he belongs, and you can bet he’s going to give it everything he’s got. No holding back now.

The tournament isn’t just about a few big names, though. The full field is packed with talent. You’ve got guys like Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth, always a dangerous pairing. Then there’s Collin Morikawa and Rickie Fowler, two players who can absolutely catch fire. And don’t forget about Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland – another pairing that could light up the leaderboard. Every group has the potential for fireworks. This is golf at its highest level, and you don’t want to miss a single shot.

When and Where to Watch the First Round

So, you want to catch the action, huh? Here’s the lowdown on how to tune in. For Thursday’s opening round, you can catch the broadcast on the Golf Channel from 3-7 p.m. ET. If you’re looking for even more coverage, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ is your best bet. They’ll be streaming all the early action starting at 8:30 a.m. ET, along with dedicated coverage of featured groups and holes. That means you won’t miss a single crucial putt or a spectacular drive. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and they’re giving you the full view.

For those of you who like to get a little action on the game, there are sportsbooks ready to take your bets. If you’re looking to place some wagers on the Cadillac Championship, there are options available. Signing up with certain partners might even get you a welcome offer, so it’s worth looking into if that’s your thing. Just remember to bet responsibly. It’s all about enhancing the viewing experience, not letting it get out of hand. This is a serious competition, and we’re here to watch the golf, first and foremost.

Thursday's Full Tee Times and Groupings

Alright, enough preamble. Here are the tee times and groupings for Thursday’s opening round. This is where the rubber meets the road. Keep an eye on these pairings; you never know who’s going to get hot and make a run at the leaders. Sometimes it’s the established stars, other times it’s a relative unknown making a name for themselves. That’s the beauty of golf.

Tee No. 1 – Morning Wave:

  • 8:40 a.m. – Matt Wallace, Patrick Rodgers
  • 8:50 a.m. – Jhonattan Vegas, Bud Cauley
  • 9:00 a.m. – Tom Hoge, Joel Dahmen
  • 9:10 a.m. – Taylor Pendrith, Sahith Theegala
  • 9:20 a.m. – Matt McCarty, David Lipsky
  • 9:30 a.m. – Denny McCarthy, Ryo Hisatsune
  • 9:45 a.m. – Andrew Putnam, Pierceson Coody
  • 9:55 a.m. – Maverick McNealy, Sungjae Im
  • 10:05 a.m. – J.J. Spaun, Ben Griffin
  • 10:15 a.m. – Brian Harman, Harris English
  • 10:25 a.m. – Sepp Straka, Harry Hall
  • 10:35 a.m. – Akshay Bhatia, Ricky Castillo

Tee No. 1 – Late Wave:

  • 10:50 a.m. – Cameron Young, Scottie Scheffler
  • 11:00 a.m. – Justin Rose, Adam Scott
  • 11:10 a.m. – Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth
  • 11:20 a.m. – Gary Woodland, Jacob Bridgeman
  • 11:30 a.m. – Min Woo Lee, Jordan Smith
  • 11:40 a.m. – Keith Mitchell, Alex Smalley
  • 11:55 a.m. – Kurt Kitayama, Sudarshan Yellamaraju
  • 12:05 p.m. – Michael Kim, Austin Smotherman
  • 12:15 p.m. – Max Homa, Max Greyserman
  • 12:25 p.m. – Ryan Fox, Alex Noren
  • 12:35 p.m. – J.T. Poston, Jake Knapp
  • 12:45 p.m. – Aldrich Potgieter, Chandler Blanchet
  • 1:00 p.m. – Lucas Glover, Daniel Berger
  • 1:10 p.m. – Nick Taylor, Nicolai Højgaard
  • 1:20 p.m. – Alex Fitzpatrick, Nico Echavarria
  • 1:30 p.m. – Corey Conners, Michael Thorbjorsen
  • 1:40 p.m. – Russell Henley, Si Woo Kim
  • 1:50 p.m. – Andrew Novak, Sam Burns

Tee No. 1 – Evening Wave:

  • 2:05 p.m. – Chris Gotterup, Hideki Matsuyama
  • 2:15 p.m. – Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland
  • 2:25 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Rickie Fowler
  • 2:35 p.m. – Keegan Bradley, Shane Lowry
  • 2:45 p.m. – Ryan Gerard, Jason Day
  • 2:55 p.m. – Brian Campbell, Sam Stevens

This is the lineup that will set the tone for the entire tournament. You’ve got stacked groups from the early morning right through to the late afternoon. It’s going to be a long, action-packed day of golf. Pay attention to how players handle the course, especially if the conditions change throughout the day. Wind can be a major factor at Doral, and the players who adapt best will be the ones who thrive.

Why This Tournament Matters

The Cadillac Championship isn’t just another stop on the tour. As a Signature Event, it attracts the top players and offers a significant chunk of the tour’s prize money. For players like Alex Fitzpatrick, it’s a golden opportunity to make a statement and solidify their place among golf’s elite. For established stars like Scottie Scheffler, it’s about defending their status and adding another prestigious trophy to their collection. The pressure is immense, and that’s what makes watching these events so compelling. You see how golfers perform when everything is on the line.

Beyond the prize money and rankings, these events are crucial for building momentum. A strong performance here can set a player up for the rest of the season. Conversely, a poor showing can be a mental hurdle to overcome. We’ll see who buckles under the pressure and who rises to the occasion. It’s a true test of skill, mental fortitude, and strategic decision-making. The course itself, Trump National Doral, is no pushover either. It demands precision, power, and a sharp mind. Players will need to bring their A-game from the very first tee shot.

Keep an eye on how the course plays out. Doral is known for its challenging layout, and the conditions on Thursday could play a significant role. Will it be firm and fast, or will there be some give in the ground? How will the wind affect play? These are all factors that will influence the scores. It’s not just about the players; the course is a character in its own right. And with the caliber of talent assembled, we’re in for a treat. For more insights into the PGA Tour schedule and events, you can always check out the official PGA Tour schedule.