Donald Trump has expressed enthusiasm for watching Rory McIlroy compete at his Florida venue during the 2026 Cadillac Miami Championship, though the US president may find himself disappointed, reports BritPanorama.
Trump was among the first prominent voices from outside the golfing world to congratulate McIlroy after the Northern Irishman successfully defended his Masters title, joining an elite group of players including Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods as only the fourth player to retain the green jacket.
Characteristically, the president mentioned his Trump National Doral Blue Monster course in his congratulatory remarks. However, McIlroy, now a six-time major champion, has indicated he intends to be selective about participating in PGA Tour signature events, casting doubt on his appearance.
Throughout 2025, McIlroy opted to skip multiple signature events, citing a desire for greater family time while focusing on golf’s four major championships. This measured approach aims to prevent the exhaustion associated with a crowded tournament calendar.
Before his Masters triumph, McIlroy missed three consecutive tournaments—the Valspar Championship, Texas Children’s Houston Open, and Valero Texas Open—devoting that time to extensive preparation at Augusta National. Speaking ahead of the Masters, he cited Justin Rose‘s career as inspiration, expressing a desire to remain competitive while pacing himself.
He stated, “I don’t want to say the tour stuff is ‘less important’. But at the same time, if I have 10 years left and I really want to prioritise the majors, then the other tournaments are great to play in, you want to win them.” McIlroy aspires to avoid burnout by focusing on the schedule that best suits his aspirations.
The PGA Championship is set to begin on 14th May, with several tournaments leading up to it, including the RBC Heritage Championship and the Cadillac Miami Championship. Currently, McIlroy has not confirmed his participation in these events as he prepares for the year’s second major.
While McIlroy’s 2025 campaign at the Masters ended with a disappointing tied for 47th place—14 shots behind winner Scottie Scheffler—his commitment to arriving fresh for major championships may lead him to bypass the opportunities to play at Doral, putting Trump’s hopes in jeopardy.
Following his Masters victory, McIlroy shared a moment of joy with his family, celebrating with his parents, wife Erica Stoll, and their five-year-old daughter Poppy. As McIlroy continues to build his trophy collection, the anticipation surrounding his future performances remains palpable.
