Donald Trump left red-faced as Doral scenes speak | Golf News

The PGA Tour’s extremely anticipated comeback to Trump National Doral for the debut Cadillac Championship has been eclipsed by one troubling sight that has fueled dialogue all week — the vacant seats.

Pictures of thinly populated grandstands and meager crowds rapidly circulated on social media, raising questions about why one of the PGA Tour’s eight signature tournaments, offering a $3.6 million winner’s purse, appeared to be attracting such minimal attendance to the famend Blue Monster course.

The grandstand encircling the 18th inexperienced appeared noticeably naked during competitors, even with recognizable gamers like Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa in motion. Images of the practically abandoned tenth gap flag location and video of sparse crowds trailing the match’s remaining group also gained widespread consideration, reinforcing the storyline. It got here as a PGA Tour star slammed Stephen A. Smith’s “laughable” take on LIV Golf.

Multiple explanations have been advised, and the online dialogue has been vocal. “There are virtually no fans at the Cadillac Championship at Doral. Is this a Trump boycott? Tickets too high? Who sets the prices? Single day ticket is $88. Tickets too high — next week’s Truist at Quail Hollow are $84. Not much different,” one spectator commented on social media.

Another individual centered on the timing points. “The scheduling on this is terrible. F1 is this weekend in Miami, which has all sorts of big ancillary events and creates tons of traffic. This is also the first week of summer temperatures we’ve started to have so it’s hot. Kentucky Derby this weekend is also big at the race tracks in South FL. Just a really bad spot on the schedule.”

The Miami Grand Prix befell at the Hard Rock Stadium campus during the same weekend, attracting large crowds and producing substantial site visitors congestion and leisure programming throughout town.

The attendance issues had been worsened by a prolonged roster of notable participant withdrawals prior to the match’s start. Masters champion Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg, Wyndham Clark, Xander Schauffele, and Matt Fitzpatrick had been among those who opted out, presumably saving their power for the Truist Championship the following week.

Security preparations created extra issues. The PGA Tour launched a assertion on Saturday saying TSA-style screening protocols for the ultimate two rounds.

“Travel times to access the course and Trump National Doral property could significantly increase, so ticketed attendees are strongly encouraged to arrive to the course earlier than planned,” the press release acknowledged.

“Enhanced security screenings will be conducted prior to entry by the Secret Service Uniformed Division. Upon entering Trump National Doral, spectators will be subjected to TSA-style screening at the Main Entry, Downtown Doral Entry, and in select areas on course,” the assertion added.

It stays unsure whether or not the heightened security protocols discouraged some spectators, though sparse crowds had been evident even before Saturday’s announcement. The match itself delivered thrilling golf motion, with Cameron Young holding a commanding six-shot benefit heading into the ultimate spherical as he pursued his second PGA Tour victory of the season. President Trump made an look at the course on Sunday to observe the match’s conclusion.