In a significant development for the world of professional golf, Trump National Doral, a storied South Florida golf resort, is officially slated to rejoin the PGA Tour schedule in 2026. After a decade-long absence, the iconic ‘Blue Monster’ course will host the newly minted ‘Miami Championship,’ an event designated with coveted ‘signature status’ and boasting a substantial $20 million purse. This announcement, confirming months of speculation, marks a notable return for a venue deeply woven into the fabric of PGA Tour history and signals a dynamic shift in the tour’s strategic calendar.
The Miami Championship: A New Signature Event
The ‘Miami Championship’ is poised to be a highlight of the 2026 PGA Tour season, scheduled for April 30 to May 3. Its inclusion elevates the total number of signature events to nine, emphasizing the tour’s commitment to showcasing its top talent at premier venues with elevated prize money. These signature events feature smaller, more elite fields, ensuring that fans witness golf’s biggest stars competing fiercely. The new tournament will take the place of the Mexico Open on the main season calendar, with the latter shifting to the FedExCup Fall schedule. While the ‘Miami Championship’ has yet to secure a title sponsor, discussions are reportedly underway with multiple potential companies, and the PGA Tour is expected to own and operate the event itself.
The timing of the tournament is strategic, placing it within a compressed and highly anticipated six-week stretch of major golf. This period will include two of golf’s four majors – the Masters and the PGA Championship – alongside three signature events, including the new Doral tournament. Such a densely packed schedule of high-stakes sports events will undoubtedly test the endurance and strategic planning of the PGA Tour’s elite players.
A Decade’s Hiatus and a Storied Past
Trump National Doral’s return to the PGA Tour is particularly significant given its rich legacy. The resort’s ‘Blue Monster’ course was a consistent fixture on the PGA Tour for over five decades. From 1962 to 2006, it hosted the Doral Open, a popular stop on the Florida swing. In 2007, the event evolved into a World Golf Championships (WGC) event, drawing the game’s top international players until 2016. Legends like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods, who famously won three consecutive titles at Doral from 2005 to 2007, have all graced its fairways.
The PGA Tour’s departure from Doral after the 2016 WGC-Cadillac Championship was influenced by a confluence of factors, primarily the challenge of securing a title sponsor willing to align with the property after its acquisition by Donald Trump in 2012 and amidst the backdrop of his presidential campaign. The tournament subsequently moved to Mexico City. The Blue Monster then found a new host in LIV Golf, accommodating events for the Saudi-backed league from 2022 through 2025. With Doral rejoining the PGA Tour in 2026, the Miami property will no longer host LIV Golf events, although another Trump-owned course outside Washington D.C. will remain on the LIV schedule.
Strategic Return Amidst Evolving Golf Dynamics
The PGA Tour’s decision to bring Doral back into its fold arrives at a pivotal moment for professional golf. The landscape has been dramatically reshaped by the emergence of LIV Golf and ongoing discussions regarding a potential partnership between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Some observers suggest that Donald Trump’s re-election, which occurred shortly before this announcement, may have played a role in facilitating renewed negotiations between the PGA Tour and the PIF, with the President previously indicating a willingness to serve as a facilitator.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp expressed enthusiasm for the move, stating, “We’re excited to showcase the game’s greatest players competing at golf’s most iconic venues.” This sentiment underscores the tour’s strategy to return to historically significant sites that resonate with both players and fans, enhancing the overall spectacle of professional golf. The return to Doral, a course known for its demanding layout and signature island green 18th hole, aligns with this vision.
Impact on the South Florida Sports Landscape
For South Florida, the reintroduction of a PGA Tour signature event at Doral is a significant boost to its vibrant sports calendar and local economy. The tournament is expected to draw a large number of spectators, bringing substantial tourism revenue to Miami and the surrounding areas. Hotels, restaurants, and local businesses will likely see increased activity, providing an economic uplift. Furthermore, the global media attention that accompanies a high-profile PGA Tour event will shine a spotlight on Miami as a premier destination for major sporting events, reinforcing its reputation as a hub for both professional golf and international news.
A New Chapter for Doral and the PGA Tour
The return of Trump National Doral to the PGA Tour schedule marks a new chapter for both the historic venue and the tour itself. It signifies a strategic move to integrate a celebrated course back into the professional circuit, enhance the schedule with another high-stakes signature event, and potentially leverage broader geopolitical shifts within the golf world. As the 2026 season approaches, the ‘Miami Championship’ at Doral is poised to become a highly anticipated stop, once again bringing elite professional golf to the iconic ‘Blue Monster’ and igniting a renewed sense of excitement among golf enthusiasts.
