The Blue Monster Awakens: Your Guide to Watching Round 1 of the Cadillac Championship

A Course Reborn Under the Florida Sun
There's something electric about watching a storied venue reclaim its place in the spotlight. This Thursday, Trump Doral's Blue Monster course—a layout that has humbled generations of the game's finest players—awakens from its Signature Event slumber to host the inaugural Cadillac Championship.
I've walked these fairways before, felt the humid Florida air settle heavy on my shoulders as I traced the contours of holes that have produced some of golf's most dramatic moments. The Blue Monster earned its name honestly: those water hazards don't negotiate, and the greens have a way of revealing every weakness in your short game.
For those of us who can't be there in person, the good news is comprehensive coverage begins bright and early on Thursday.
How to Watch Round 1
Television Coverage
Golf Channel picks up the broadcast from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET, capturing the meat of the afternoon action when the leaders will be finishing their rounds and the leaderboard begins to take shape.
Streaming Options
For the true devotees—and I count myself among you—PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ is where the day really begins. Coverage starts at 8:30 a.m. ET, offering:
- Early morning streaming as the first groups head out
- Featured group coverage throughout the day
- Featured hole coverage for key moments
The GOLF App will also carry a simulcast of Golf Channel's television coverage, perfect for those watching on the go.
The Field to Watch
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler arrives at Doral as the betting favorite, and with good reason. One win already this season would be impressive enough, but it's those back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Masters and RBC Heritage that suggest his game is razor-sharp. Five top-5 finishes in 2026 tell the story of a player operating at an almost unfair level of consistency.
Scheffler's Thursday pairing with Cameroun Young—the recently crowned Players champion—promises to be appointment viewing. Young has been playing with the kind of fearless confidence that major championship winners carry, and this marquee grouping could set the tone for the entire week.
Notable Round 1 Tee Times (ET)
The morning wave features an intriguing mix of established veterans and rising stars:
- 9:10 a.m. – Taylor Pendrith, Sahith Theegala
- 9:30 a.m. – Denny McCarthy, Ryo Hisatsune
- 9:55 a.m. – Maverick McNealy, Sungjae Im
Earlier groups teeing off include Tom Hoge and Joel Dahmen at 9:00 a.m., with Matt Wallace and Patrick Rodgers leading the way at 8:40 a.m.
Why This Matters
The PGA Tour's return to the Blue Monster represents more than just another stop on the schedule. This is a Signature Event, meaning the purse is elevated, the field is elite, and every shot carries weight. For golf architecture enthusiasts, watching how today's long-hitting professionals navigate a course designed before the distance explosion is always fascinating.
The Blue Monster demands precision off the tee, creative approaches into greens, and the kind of mental fortitude that separates good weeks from great ones. It's a complete examination of a player's game.
Takeaway
Set your alarms for 8:30 a.m. ET if you want the full experience, or tune into Golf Channel at 3 p.m. for the afternoon action. With Scheffler seeking another win and Young riding high on Players Championship momentum, this inaugural Cadillac Championship promises drama from the very first tee shot. The Blue Monster is awake—and it's hungry.