The spotlight at this week’s Cadillac Championship could fall on a rising group of Indian-origin golfers, with Sahith Theegala, Akshay Bhatia and Sudarshan Yellamaraju all in the field at Trump National Doral.
Bhatia arrives as a proven contender, having already won at this venue, while both Theegala and Yellamaraju have come close in recent starts. This week presents another opportunity for the trio to make a strong push in a stacked field.
Theegala has been one of the most consistent performers this season. Though still chasing his first win of 2026, he has already registered four top-10 finishes in 11 starts. His aggressive style and sharp short game make him well-suited to Doral’s demanding layout.
Bhatia, meanwhile, continues his rapid rise on the PGA TOUR. A winner this season, the 24-year-old has shown he can handle elite fields, combining a fluid swing with a fearless approach that makes him a genuine threat.
Yellamaraju adds further depth, underlining the growing presence of Indian-origin players on the global stage. His steady progress this season suggests he could also contend if he builds early momentum.
The absence of Masters champion Rory McIlroy opens up the field, leaving World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler as the leading favourite. Scheffler comes in on the back of consecutive runner-up finishes at the Masters and the RBC Heritage.
He is joined by world No. 4 Cameron Young, who recently won The Players Championship, adding further firepower to the top of the leaderboard.
Elsewhere, Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood will be looking to rediscover top form, while Chris Gotterup—enjoying a breakout season—teams up with Hideki Matsuyama as another pairing to watch.
This $20 million Signature Event, the fifth of the 2026 PGA TOUR season, features a no-cut format and a world-class field, setting the stage for four days of high-intensity golf in South Florida.
What it means: Indian-origin players are no longer fringe contenders—they’re increasingly central to the narrative in elite PGA TOUR events.
What’s next: With a no-cut format, expect aggressive play throughout the week as the field chases a big payday and momentum heading deeper into the season.
Photo – PGAT
