McIlroy is skipping this week's Cadillac Championship.
Trump Called McIlroy a 'Legend' and Praised Him at a State Dinner — McIlroy Responded by Skipping His Golf Course
Rory McIlroy has apparently snubbed President Donald Trump by withdrawing from the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral.
After his second Master's victory, Donald Trump expressed his excitement about seeing the Green Jacket champion play at the golf resort. McIlroy has skipped five PGA Tour signature events since the start of 2025.
McIlroy will not play in Miami, forgoing the chance to compete for a prize purse of approximately £2.7 million. This has marked back-to-back major event absences for McIlroy, who also missed The Heritage— a competition that happened a week after his most recent Augusta National victory. According to The Irish Star, he also skipped the event last year after completing his career Grand Slam.
While it was anticipated that McIlroy would miss both the RBC Heritage and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with Shane Lowry the following weekend, many in golf circles expected McIlroy to appear at Trump National Doral, where a gold statue of the president is reportedly on display.
Trump said he was "looking forward to watching" Rory compete
Earlier this month, Donald Trump congratulated Rory McIlroy after his victory at the Masters. The president had made it clear with his message that he was looking forward to watching him perform at the Doral.
Praising McIlroy publicly, Trump called him an emerging "legend". He wrote, "Congratulations to Rory McIlroy on another Great Championship, The Masters! He performed tremendously under intense pressure, something which few people would be able to even think about doing. "
Rory McIlroy won't be playing at this weekends Trump National Doral PGA tour event.
He then added, "With each year, Rory is becoming more and more a LEGEND! I look forward to watching him compete in two weeks at Doral. The quality of Professional Golfers today has become extraordinary, each and every one of them. They should all be proud of the way they played at The Masters this weekend! President DONALD J. TRUMP."
Mcllroy's another notable absence last year was the Sentry tournament, which has since been discontinued, with Hideki Matsuyama taking home the £2.7 million reward. In total, McIlroy has passed on the opportunity to compete for approximately £13.7 million in available prize money from signature events, per reports.
His decision not to play prompted reaction from other Tour members. Michael Kim said, "I hope to get to a point where I decide to skip a signature event even when healthy."
Donald Trump interrupts his speech to praise the golfer
According to Belfast Live, Trump paused his speech at a White House state dinner to ask McIlroy to stand; he then praised the golfer for his "unconquerable courage." The president made this comment at a state visit by King Charles III and Queen Camilla. McIlroy was present at the dinner.
President Trump interrupted his speech to ask McIlroy to stand for applause.
The President said, “The entire world has been uplifted by this distinct and special character we share. This unstoppable daring, this unconquerable courage. It really is, it’s unconquerable. Speaking of that, where’s Rory McIlroy? Can you stand up Rory, will you, please?"
Continuing his praise, Trump said, “That was unconquerable courage. That was very good Rory. I don’t know if that helps him talking about how wonderful the speech… but I had to interrupt my speech because I watched that man win a tournament that was a tough one." He concluded his speech by saying, “Congratulations, very proud of you.”