Cameron Young Takes Five-Shot Lead at Doral as Trump Security Looms Over Cadillac Championship

Key facts

• Cameron Young leads the Cadillac Championship at 13-under par after rounds of 64 and 67.
• Young holds a five-stroke lead over Jordan Spieth, Nick Taylor, and Alex Smalley.
• President Donald Trump is expected to attend the tournament, prompting enhanced security.
• The $20 million event is the PGA Tour's first at Trump National Doral since 2016.
• Ryan Fox of New Zealand sits in 43rd place at even par after an opening 72.
• Adam Scott received a two-stroke penalty for playing the wrong ball on the eighth hole.
• A gold statue of President Trump was installed near the first tee earlier in the week.

Young Surges Ahead at Blue Monster

Cameron Young has seized control of the Cadillac Championship, firing a second-round 67 to reach 13-under par and open a five-shot lead at Trump National Doral. The 28-year-old American, who won The Players Championship in March, carded an opening 64 on Thursday and followed it with a steady 67 on Friday, leaving the chasing pack in his wake. Jordan Spieth, a three-time major winner, is tied for second at eight-under par alongside Nick Taylor and Alex Smalley. World number one Scottie Scheffler sits seven strokes off the pace at six-under par, while Ryan Fox of New Zealand is in 43rd place at even par after an opening round of 72.

Fox Struggles with Putter but Shines Around Greens

Ryan Fox, the Kiwi golfer, ranked 70th in strokes gained putting among the 72-man field but compensated with exceptional touch around the greens. He opened with a birdie on the par-five first hole but three-putted the par-four third for a bogey. At the 532-yard par-five eighth, Fox found the greenside water with his second shot but chipped in from his fourth to salvage a birdie. Fox remained at one-under par with four holes to play but stumbled with a bogey-birdie-bogey finish, ending his day at even par. He sits seven shots behind Young in a tie for 43rd.

Trump’s Expected Visit Triggers Security Overhaul

Tournament officials have issued an “enhanced security” notice to spectators ahead of the weekend, citing the expected presence of U.S. President Donald Trump. In a statement released before Saturday’s third round, organizers urged fans to allow extra travel time and warned of increased restrictions on and around the property. “Those attending the Cadillac Championship on Saturday and Sunday should expect enhanced security measures and additional restrictions at and around Trump National Doral due to a U.S. Secret Service protectee,” the notice read. Spectators will face TSA-style screening at entry points and select areas on the course, and are advised to minimize personal items.

Temporary Flight Restrictions Signal Presidential Arrival

Temporary flight restrictions indicate President Trump’s arrival in Miami at 6:30 p.m. local time on Saturday, with a departure scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Sunday. Trump typically stays at his Doral resort when visiting the area. The $20 million Cadillac Championship marks the PGA Tour’s first return to one of Trump’s courses since the WGC-Cadillac Championship in 2016, also held at Doral’s Blue Monster. Earlier in the week, a gold statue of the President was installed near the first tee, drawing attention from players and spectators. The tournament is the fifth Signature Event of the 2026 PGA Tour season.

Young’s Dominance and the Weekend Ahead

Young, ranked fourth in the world, is chasing his second victory of the season after winning The Players Championship in March. His five-shot lead heading into the weekend gives him a commanding position, but the heightened security and presidential presence promise a highly scrutinized atmosphere. The chasing pack, including Spieth, Taylor, and Smalley, will need to mount a significant charge to close the gap. Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, is seven shots back at six-under par and will need a weekend rally to contend. Adam Scott, who was penalized two strokes for playing the wrong ball on the eighth hole, sits in a tie for 69th at four-over par.

DP World Tour: Kobori and Hillier in Action

On the DP World Tour’s Turkish Open, New Zealander Kazuma Kobori opened with a two-under 70, placing him in a share of 22nd, four shots behind leader Mikael Lindberg of Sweden. Fellow Kiwi Daniel Hillier carded an even-par 72, leaving him in a tie for 63rd. The contrasting fortunes of the New Zealand contingent highlight the challenges of competing across two tours simultaneously.

The bottom line

• Cameron Young leads by five strokes at 13-under par after two rounds at Trump National Doral.
• President Donald Trump’s expected attendance has triggered enhanced security measures, including TSA-style screening.
• Ryan Fox sits at even par in 43rd place, struggling with putting but excelling around the greens.
• The $20 million Cadillac Championship is the PGA Tour’s first event at a Trump course since 2016.
• Adam Scott incurred a two-stroke penalty for playing the wrong ball on the eighth hole.
• Young is seeking his second win of the season after claiming The Players Championship in March.