Cameron Young Dominates Doral’s Return, Wins $3.6M at Cadillac Championship

Key facts

• Cameron Young won the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral with a final-round 68 and a total of 19-under 269.
• Young earned $3.6 million from the $20 million purse, defeating Scottie Scheffler by six shots.
• Scottie Scheffler finished second at 13-under 275, marking his third consecutive runner-up finish.
• Ben Griffin placed third at 12-under 276, one shot behind Scheffler.
• The 18th hole played a half-shot over par through three rounds, making it Doral’s toughest hole and potentially the hardest closing hole on the PGA Tour this year.
• Adam Scott finished tied for fourth at 11-under 277, extending his streak to 100 consecutive major starts.
• The tournament was the first PGA Tour event at Doral in ten years and the first Cadillac Championship as a signature event.
• Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose, and Jhonattan Vegas described the 18th hole as extremely difficult, with Rose asking his caddie how many balls they had left.

A Wire-to-Wire Triumph at the Blue Monster

Cameron Young captured the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral on Sunday, shooting a final-round 68 to finish at 19-under 269 and claim a six-shot victory over world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. The win, worth $3.6 million from the $20 million purse, marked Young’s third career PGA Tour title and solidified his status as one of the game’s elite players. Young led from start to finish, a wire-to-wire performance that included a near ace on the par-4 18th earlier in the week. His dominance was such that he never trailed after the opening round, and his six-shot margin of victory was the largest of any tournament this season. For Scheffler, it was a third consecutive runner-up finish, a streak that began at the Masters and continued at the Truist Championship. Despite his world ranking, the Texan has been unable to close out victories in recent weeks.

Doral’s Daunting 18th Hole Tests the Field

The 486-yard par-4 18th hole at Trump National Doral lived up to its reputation as a bruising finisher. Through three rounds, it played exactly a half-shot over par, making it the toughest hole on the course and potentially the hardest closing hole on the PGA Tour this year. Last year, during a LIV Golf event, the hole played 0.574 strokes over par; a decade ago, at the last PGA Tour event at Doral, it played 0.425 strokes over par. Players were vocal about the challenge. Justin Rose said he asked his caddie how many balls they had left after a practice round. Jhonattan Vegas warned that a player could “make a massive number on that hole” and advocated a conservative approach. Jordan Spieth called it “one of the harder holes I’ve played on the PGA Tour today.” Water runs the entire left side, palm trees line the right, and the fairway narrows to about 25 yards at the landing area for drives up to 300 yards. Wind adds another layer of difficulty, forcing players to choose between aiming at the lake or risking the trees. Adam Scott noted that the tee shot demands two great swings just to make a regulation par.

Young’s Season Ascends with Third Career Win

Young, now ranked fourth in the world, has been on a tear since winning The Players Championship in March. He nearly won the Masters, finishing runner-up, and now adds the Cadillac Championship to his resume. His final-round 68 was a model of control, highlighted by a 3-foot birdie putt on No. 16 and a clutch up-and-down par on the 72nd hole to seal the victory. “It’s a great feeling to win here at Doral, especially with such a strong field,” Young said after the round. The victory moves him into the conversation as one of the top players to watch heading into the PGA Championship at Aronimink in two weeks. Ben Griffin finished third at 12-under 276, one shot behind Scheffler. Griffin’s near ace on the par-4 18th earlier in the week was one of the shots of the tournament. Adam Scott, Sepp Straka, and Si Woo Kim tied for fourth at 11-under 277, with Scott’s performance particularly notable as he extended his streak to 100 consecutive major starts.

A $20 Million Purse and a Return to Doral

The Cadillac Championship was the first PGA Tour event at Trump National Doral in a decade, and the first edition as a signature event with a $20 million purse. The tournament moved to a later spot in the schedule than its previous February slot, and the field featured many of the world’s top players. Young’s $3.6 million winner’s share was the largest of his career. Scheffler earned $2.16 million for second, while Griffin took home $1.36 million. The total payout for the top nine finishers exceeded $10 million, underscoring the financial heft of the PGA Tour’s signature events. The return to Doral was met with mixed reactions from players, who praised the course’s difficulty but also noted its unforgiving nature. The 18th hole, in particular, became a central storyline, with its water hazards and narrow fairway creating drama down the stretch.

What Comes Next: The Truist Championship and PGA Championship

The PGA Tour now heads to the Truist Championship, another signature event, and the Myrtle Beach Classic next week. The following week, the season’s second major, the PGA Championship, will be held at Aronimink Golf Club in Philadelphia. Young will be among the favorites at Aronimink, given his recent form. Scheffler, despite his runner-up streak, remains the world No. 1 and a perennial contender. Adam Scott, with his 100th consecutive major start on the horizon, will look to carry momentum from his top-five finish at Doral. The Cadillac Championship’s return to Doral may also have implications for the future of the PGA Tour schedule, as the event’s success could lead to a permanent spot. For now, the focus shifts to the next two weeks, which will shape the narrative of the season heading into the summer.

The bottom line

• Cameron Young’s wire-to-wire victory at Doral cements his status as a top-five player and a major contender.
• Scottie Scheffler’s third consecutive runner-up finish raises questions about his ability to close out tournaments.
• The 18th hole at Trump National Doral remains one of the toughest closing holes in golf, with a scoring average over par and a narrow fairway flanked by water and trees.
• The Cadillac Championship’s $20 million purse and signature-event status highlight the PGA Tour’s financial commitment to marquee tournaments.
• Adam Scott’s tie for fourth place and his streak of 100 consecutive major starts underscore his longevity and consistency.
• The PGA Tour’s return to Doral after a decade was a success, with a strong field and dramatic finishes, setting the stage for future events at the venue.