,Doral, Florida, August 21, 2025
News Summary
The PGA Tour is set to return to Trump National Doral with a new event called the Miami Championship. Scheduled for early May, this Signature Event will feature a $20 million purse and no 36-hole cut, allowing more players to compete through the weekend. The event is a significant move as it reinstates Doral on the tour, marking its first appearance since 2016. Excitement is building around the implications for players and fans alike, with potential shifts in scheduling and participation as the tour navigates a challenging calendar.
Miami: PGA Tour Storms Back to Doral — Meet the New Miami Championship
Big news out of South Florida, and it isn’t subtle.
The PGA Tour is heading back to the famous blue waters and palm-lined fairways of Trump National Doral with a brand-new event named the Miami Championship, set for April 30 to May 3, 2026. This marks the first time the Tour has teed up at Doral since 2016, when the long-running tournament was moved because of sponsorship headaches. The return is loud, deliberate and designed to grab attention.
The new Miami stop will be a Signature Event, pushing the Tour’s Signature slate to nine for 2026 — up from eight the previous year. That’s not just a label: Signature Events come with a hefty $20 million purse and, in a move that changes strategy for many, they do away with the traditional 36-hole cut. In plain terms: more players in the field get to play the full tournament weekend, and the money pool is massive.
Schedule shockwaves and a brutal six-week gauntlet
The 2026 PGA Tour calendar is shaping up to be a grind for players who chase every event. A tough six-week stretch is on the books that will cram together two majors (the Masters and the PGA Championship) alongside three Signature Events — the RBC Heritage, the new Miami Championship, and the Truist Championship. That sequence raises the pressure dial for top players and rank-and-file pros alike, forcing some hard choices about where to play and when to rest.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has made clear that the Tour wanted to get back to Doral, pointing to the property’s long history with professional golf. At the same time, the return comes through a partnership with Trump, who has been publicly critical of the Tour since it left Doral in 2016 — a business move that mixes cash, optics, and strategy.
What this means for players — freedom, strategy, and friction
One big trend: players enjoy more freedom to pick and choose events. That can be great for top stars who can tailor schedules to peak for majors or rest when needed. But it also risks hollowing out some events if elite names opt out. Some notable players have skipped Signature Events in the past, and that precedent raises questions about how competitive the fields will be and whether fans get the star matchups they expect.
Inside the locker room, there’s a clear split. Some players welcome the chance to chase bigger purses without a midweek cut looming. Others worry the squeeze of big-money events and a tighter list of fully exempt players will shrink opportunities for the broader Tour membership. Starting in 2026 only the top 100 in the FedExCup standings will carry fully exempt status, down from 125 in previous seasons — a structural change that raises the stakes for every finish.
Business, optics and calendar concerns
This return to Doral is as much a business play as a golf decision. National media exposure and the draw of marquee players for a Signature Event are powerful incentives for the Tour. Yet critics say more top-tier, big-money stops risk cannibalizing smaller traditional events, reducing playing chances for journeymen and undermining local tournaments that fans love.
The Miami Championship will almost certainly bring big names and heavy coverage. But the real test will be whether it lifts the Tour’s entire ecosystem or concentrates opportunity into fewer, flashier buckets. With players like Rory McIlroy having opted out of certain Signature Events before, and prominent stars weighing their personal calendars differently each season, the Tour could see uneven fields even at its high-profile stops.
The bottom line for fans and players
Golf fans should expect high drama in Miami: a classic course back on the calendar, a super-sized purse, and plenty of storylines as players juggle majors, money, and rest. For pros outside the top tier, the calendar shake-up and fewer exempt spots mean more pressure to perform. The Tour’s gamble is obvious — boost brand, build big events, and attract viewership — but the ripple effects on smaller events and players’ livelihoods are real.
If you like bold moves, this one fits the bill. If you’re worried about the little guy on Tour, this could be the start of a new, more compressed reality. Either way, Miami’s back in the headlines and Doral will be a focal point when the 2026 season kicks toward spring.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates for the Miami Championship?
The Miami Championship is scheduled for April 30 to May 3, 2026.
Is the Miami Championship a Signature Event?
Yes. The Miami Championship will be the PGA Tour’s ninth Signature Event in 2026.
How much is the purse for Signature Events?
Signature Events carry a $20 million purse and do not have a 36-hole cut.
Will the return to Doral affect other tour events?
Potentially. Expanding the Signature Event roster and high-profile partnerships could shift attention and playing opportunities away from some traditional events, depending on player choices and scheduling conflicts.
How has exempt status changed for 2026?
Fully exempt status will be limited to the top 100 players in the FedExCup standings in 2026, reduced from 125 in previous years.
Quick Facts Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Miami Championship at Trump National Doral |
| Dates | April 30 — May 3, 2026 |
| Signature Event Count | Ninth Signature Event in 2026 (up from eight in 2025) |
| Purse | $20 million |
| Cut | No 36-hole cut |
| Schedule Impact | Part of a six-week stretch with the Masters, PGA Championship, RBC Heritage, and Truist Championship |
| Exempt Status Change | Fully exempt status reduced to top 100 in FedExCup for 2026 |
| Business Note | Event returns via partnership with Trump; Doral last hosted PGA Tour events through 2016 |
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Additional Resources
- Sports Illustrated: PGA Tour Ruining Momentum with 2026 Schedule
- Golf.com: PGA Tour Returns to Trump Doral Amid Pro Golf Shift
- Sky Sports: PGA Tour Confirms New Event at Trump’s Doral
- USA Today: PGA Tour 2026 Schedule Includes Trump Doral
- ESPN: Trump National Doral Returns to 2026 PGA Tour Schedule
- Wikipedia: PGA Tour
- Encyclopedia Britannica: PGA Tour
- Google Search: PGA Tour 2026 Schedule
- Google Scholar: PGA Tour
- Google News: PGA Tour 2026
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