The Blue Monster is back, and it's already delivering drama. The PGA Tour's return to Trump National Doral for the 2026 Cadillac Championship kicked off with a round that had fans doing double-takes—and not just because of the Miami heat.
Cameron Young stole the show on Thursday, carding a bogey-free 8-under 64 to grab the solo lead. But the story of the day almost started differently. Walking off the 8th green, Young was ready to mark a birdie for his playing partner, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. But when Scheffler missed a short putt from just outside three feet, the two went in opposite directions. Young kept pouring in birdies, while Scheffler stumbled to a 1-under 71—seven shots back.
"I always feel like it's possible," Young said of his low round. "If you had asked me to guess, I probably wouldn't have guessed 64. But that's not really what I was concerned about. It's a long three weeks, and I'm going to have some good days and some bad ones."
Young leads by one stroke heading into Friday, with Jordan Spieth and Alex Smalley right on his heels. The Blue Monster, known for chewing up players, was surprisingly tame in Round 1. With minimal wind and receptive greens, the course gave up plenty of red numbers. Spieth, ever the tactician, noted the shifting conditions: "The wind was kind of moving around. It started west when we started, and now it's southeast. You had to pay attention and commit, because although the greens are big, the pin positions are super small."
But not everyone tamed the beast. Genesis Invitational winner Jacob Bridgeman struggled to a 79, while major champions Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, Adam Scott, and Jason Day all finished over par. For those of us who love the gear as much as the game, it's a reminder: even the best players rely on precision and confidence—qualities that start with the right equipment. Whether you're grinding on a practice green or chasing a career round, the tools you trust make all the difference.
With 54 holes left and the leaderboard tight, the Cadillac Championship is shaping up to be a classic. Will Young hold on, or will Spieth's experience shine through? One thing's for sure: the Blue Monster is just getting started.