Quick Read
- Patrick Cantlay withdrew from the Cadillac Championship citing illness.
- Michael Thorbjornsen replaces Cantlay in the 72-man field at Trump National Doral.
- The event is facing scrutiny due to a series of high-profile absences amid a congested spring schedule.
MIAMI (Azat TV) – Patrick Cantlay has withdrawn from the $20 million Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, citing illness. The departure of the 34-year-old golfer, announced Tuesday, leaves yet another void in the PGA Tour’s return to the iconic Blue Monster course, marking the first time the tour has hosted an event at this venue since 2016.
Stakes and Field Implications at Trump National Doral
Cantlay’s withdrawal is the latest in a series of high-profile absences that have hampered the strength of the field for this Signature Event. He joins a notable group of top-tier players who are skipping the tournament, including Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Ludvig Åberg. Industry analysts have pointed to the compressed spring schedule, specifically the narrow window between The Masters and the upcoming PGA Championship, as a primary driver behind the thinning roster of marquee names.
The Replacement and Tournament Outlook
With Cantlay out, 24-year-old Michael Thorbjornsen has been elevated into the 72-man field. Thorbjornsen, who recently earned his tour card via the PGA Tour University rankings, was previously bumped from the entry list following Alex Fitzpatrick’s victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. Thorbjornsen is set to begin play on Thursday at 1:30 p.m. ET, paired alongside Canadian professional Corey Conners.
PGA Tour Scheduling Pressures
Despite a lucrative $20 million prize purse, with $3.6 million reserved for the winner, the event’s prestige has been complicated by its proximity to other major tournaments. While World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler remains the headliner and tournament favorite, the absence of multiple top-ranked players continues to spark debate regarding the sustainability of back-to-back Signature Events. Cantlay, who also serves on the PGA Tour Policy Board, declined to offer further comment on the broader scheduling concerns when approached regarding his status.
The recurring trend of top-tier players bypassing Signature Events suggests that the current PGA Tour calendar is pushing even its most dedicated participants toward physical and logistical breaking points, forcing a strategic prioritization that threatens the perceived exclusivity of these high-stakes tournaments.