The PGA Tour's flagship return to Trump National Doral this weekend marks a public reversal for an organization that once distanced itself from President Trump's golf properties. After years of estrangement driven by Trump's first presidential campaign and his remarks about Mexican immigrants, the tour is again staging the Cadillac Championship at Doral, the Miami-area resort Trump bought out of bankruptcy in 2012. The event had been moved to Mexico City in 2016 in response to sponsor concerns tied in part to Trump's politics, the Washington Post reports. Trump portrayed the loss as both a personal and political slight.
Now, the PGA Tour is back at a venue that was a mainstay on its schedule for more than a half-century, where past champions include Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus. Trump's resort has treating the event as a showcase, with spectators offered Trump-branded drinks at a Trump Vodka Bar and a new 15-foot, gold-colored statue commemorating his salute after the 2024 assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. The White House declined to discuss Trump's role in the PGA Tour's return, referring questions to the Trump Organization. Eric Trump expressed pride at the tour's return. Crowds greeted Trump on Saturday night ahead of Sunday's final round; he could well award the trophy to the winner on Sunday, per the Palm Beach Post.
The renewed PGA presence at Doral follows a period in which established golf bodies stripped events from Trump courses, including the PGA of America's 2022 PGA Championship. During that time, Trump aligned with Saudi-funded LIV Golf, hosting its tournaments and urging players to jump tours. With LIV losing its Saudi funding, Trump has predicted that its players will ultimately be readmitted to the PGA Tour, perhaps with penalties. USA Today has photos and reaction to the new Trump statue, including its lack of connection to the sport, here. "It's big and gold," one golfer said.
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