Forecasting the Fairways: Your Essential Guide to This Week's Global Golf Action
The PGA Tour Returns to Doral for a Signature Event
The PGA Tour is set to host a significant new event, the Cadillac Championship, marking its return to Doral, Florida, for the first time since 2016. This tournament introduces itself as a signature event on the tour, promising a substantial prize fund of $20 million with a winner's share of $3.6 million. The historic Trump National Doral course, renowned for its challenging 7,739-yard layout, will test the field. While several top players, including Masters champion Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, and Ludvig Aberg, are not participating, the event remains highly anticipated. Notably, Alex Fitzpatrick secured his spot by winning the Zurich Classic with his brother Matt, also earning a two-year PGA Tour exemption. Scottie Scheffler, despite recent runner-up finishes, will make his Doral debut. Adam Scott, the last PGA Tour winner at Doral, is among the few returning players from the 2016 event, highlighting the course's re-emergence into the tour schedule after hosting LIV Golf events from 2022 to 2025.
LPGA Tour Heads South to Mexico for the Riviera Maya Open
The LPGA Tour travels to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, for the Mexico Riviera Maya Open at El Camaleon GC at Mayakoba. This tournament features a $2.5 million prize purse, with the champion taking home $375,000. Following her major championship victory at The Chevron, Nelly Korda will honor her commitment to play in Mexico, maintaining her impressive streak of starting all five tournaments this year in the final group, with two wins already under her belt. This marks the second year for this event, which has a history with professional golf, having hosted the PGA Tour from 2007 to 2022 before transitioning to a LIV Golf event. Korda is the sole top-10 player in the women's world rankings participating, making her a formidable contender. Her consistent performance mirrors that of legends Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb. Patty Tavatanakit and Ruoning Yin, who both had strong finishes at The Chevron, will also be players to watch.
PGA Tour Champions Contend for the Regions Tradition Major
Birmingham, Alabama, welcomes the PGA Tour Champions for the Regions Tradition, the second major of their season. Held at the Greystone Golf & CC, a 7,249-yard, par-72 course, the tournament offers a $2.6 million prize fund and a $390,000 winner's share. Angel Cabrera is the defending champion. The event has a rich history, dating back to 1989, and has been a staple in Alabama since 2011. Local favorite Jason Bohn received a sponsor exemption, adding a regional touch to the field. Pat Perez, despite a strong senior debut at the Senior PGA Championship, is ineligible due to his LIV Golf suspension. Retief Goosen enters the tournament with momentum, having recently won the Mitsubishi Electric Classic, making him one of the few players to win at TPC Sugarloaf on both the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. Jerry Kelly celebrates his 200th start on the tour, while Steve Stricker aims for his fourth Regions Tradition title.
European Tour Showcases Talent at the Turkish Airlines Open
The European Tour heads to Antalya, Turkey, for the Turkish Airlines Open at the National GC, a 7,287-yard, par-72 course. The event boasts a $2.75 million prize fund, with $458,333 awarded to the winner. Martin Couvra is the defending champion. The field includes LIV Golf participants Elvis Smylie and Tom McKibbin, with Smylie hoping to earn crucial world ranking points for a U.S. Open exemption. This tournament concludes the Asian swing for the tour. The Turkish Airlines Open, which commenced in 2013 and ran until 2019, returned last year after a pandemic-induced hiatus. Notably, Brooks Koepka secured his first European Tour title here in 2014, a victory that propelled him to full PGA Tour status the following year. This event marks the first year of a three-year sponsorship deal with Turkish Airlines.
Updates from Other Notable Golf Tours
Beyond the main tours, several other golf circuits are holding or preparing for events. The LIV Golf League recently saw Jon Rahm triumph at LIV Golf Mexico City and will next compete in Virginia. The Korn Ferry Tour concluded with Dylan Menante's win at the Tulum Championship, with the next tournament, the Colonial Life Charity Classic, scheduled for May 14-17. Other events include the PGA of America Professional National Championship in Oregon, the USGA U.S. Women's Amateur Four-ball in South Carolina, the Epson Tour's Carlisle Arizona Women's Golf Classic, the Japan Golf Tour's The Crowns, the Asian Tour's CS Caltex Maekyung Open, the Ladies European Tour's MCB Ladies Classic, and the Korea LPGA's DB Women's Championship. These tournaments collectively offer a diverse range of competitive golf across the globe, featuring emerging talents and seasoned professionals alike.