Trump National Doral

Doral, Florida

• The Blue Monster course at Trump National Doral is hosting its fourth LIV Golf tournament and second in the regular season after hosting the Team Championships in 2022 and 2023.

• Stinger GC’s Dean Burmester is the defending LIV Golf Miami individual champion while Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed tamed the Blue Monster prior to joining LIV Golf.

• Says Burmester about Doral: “Any time you can shoot under par around this place, you’ve played pretty well. It’s not called the Blue Monster for nothing. It’s tough. There’s not on golf shot you stand there and think, Man, I’ve actually got a chance, it’s quite easy.”  

• Doral hosted elite-level professional tournaments starting in 1962.

• The course was lengthened and made more dramatic during a complete redesign by famed golf architect Gil Hanse in 2014. 

• The course features a series of strategically placed deep bunkers, long flowing fairways, interesting undulating greens, deep Bermuda rough and a challenging assortment of water hazards.

• The famous 468-yard par-4 18th is traditionally considered one of the most difficult in golf.

• Last year, the 18th ranked as the most difficult hole at LIV Golf Miami, playing to a stroke average of 4.253.

• The easiest hole last year was the 590-yard par-5 eighth, playing to a stroke average of 4.605.

• The field stroke average last year was just over par – 72.136

About the Course

“A big boy course” is how Brooks Koepka describes Trump National Doral Miami’s famed Blue Monster. Rarely have truer words been spoken. 

The Blue Monster has been taming greatness for the last 60 years. Spanning over 7,500 yards, this awesome course is feared and revered for its flowing fairways and the nightmarish water hazard that guards the 18th green.  

This is a place that forces top players to bring their A-game, and it’s already witnessed arguably the greatest shot in LIV Golf history. In 2023, Bryson DeChambeau inspired Crushers GC to victory with a ‘Birdie over the Birdie shack’, somehow chipping the music terrace and scrambling a birdie after his drive ended up on the wrong green. 

Now we’re coming back right on the eve of Majors season, so everyone’s going to be dialed in. Here’s what to expect. 

What happened before we got here?

The Blue Monster was first built in 1962, part of the brand-new Doral resort which soon became a magnet for A-listers and Hollywood stars. At one stage, the resort even included a monkey island (yep, really). 

Over time, however, the golf course became the star attraction, earning respect from golfers around the world. In 2013, it was reshaped by famous golf architect Gil Hanse to make it even longer, with even more water. 

What happened last time we came?

We got one of LIV Golf’s trademark play-offs in 2024, when Dean Burmester (Stinger GC) edged Sergio García (Fireballs GC) in the individual stakes. In the team race, Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII captured their second LIV Golf title, a key milestone on their way to capturing the season-ending Team Championship. 

How does this course play?

Tough. Real tough. There are no gimme holes here, and the 18th is arguably the hardest finishing hole in golf, with trouble on every side. 

Who will it favor?

As Dean Burmester said after winning LIV Golf Miami 2024, the Blue Monster “definitely suits length.” And it’s no surprise that many of the LIV Golf players who’ve shone in Doral have been big drivers. However, with so much water in play, it’s not all about power. Placement and strategy are crucial here, too. 

What have the players said?

“It’s perfect for managing your golf ball,” Bubba Watson. 

“It’s a great test of golf. You have to be on your game pretty much every hole out there,” Bryson DeChambeau. 

How can I be there?

If you want to see DeChambeau, Koepka and the rest of the best take on the Blue Monster, there are still some tickets available.

Cocktails, multi-course menus or a real party…come take your pick.