Your handy desk calendar is correct – the next team golf competition starts this week. A few weeks ago, we had the Walker Cup and more recently the Solheim Cup. The following is the Presidents’ Cupwhich is yet another event worthy of Cup.
Some of you might know exactly what you’re in for. But for those unfamiliar with the biennial event, here’s a refresher in the form of common questions and ideally somewhat helpful answers.
The Presidents Cup is like the Ryder Cup, right?
Kind of, but not really. There are key differences, the main one being that this is 12 American players versus 12 international players, with the latter team made up of golfers from around the world, excluding Europe. The Ryder Cup is the United States vs Europe, so Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood and the boys are out there.
Is the format the same?
Also a type, but there are several key differences. For starters, the Ryder Cup is three days of matches, while the Presidents Cup is four.
Oh, so it starts on Thursday, not Friday?
Yes! Now you have it.
What else?
While the Ryder Cup has 28 points to take in foursomes, four-ball and singles matches, the Presidents Cup has 30 points that the teams play (first at 15.5 points wins). The schedule is also a little different. Instead of double sessions on the first two days (like the Ryder Cup), the Presidents Cup has five four-ball matches (best ball) on Thursday and five foursomes (alternate shot) matches on Friday. Saturday is the only doubles session (four fourballs, foursomes) before the event ends with 12 singles matches on Sunday.
So it’s like the Ryder Cup but not exactly the Ryder Cup. Does it do anything better than the Ryder Cup?
For sure. Ryder Cup captains choose their respective lineups for each session by listing which players are in each match blindly without knowing the opponent, then wait and see who they play when the other captain reveals their lineup. But the Presidents’ Cup is much more interesting. Here, the captains sit backstage and take turns choosing their pairing or player for a match. Then the next captain counter with his choice to play against them. And on and on. Much more fun, right?
An aerial view of the 18th hole and clubhouse at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Ill., home of the 2026 Presidents Cup.
Quinn Harris/PGA TOUR
That sounds better. So who usually wins this thing?
Is it almost always the Americans. The United States has a 13-1-1 all-time record in the event and has won the last 10 meetings. They tied in 2003, and the International team’s only win came in 1998 when they dominated (20.5-11.5) at Royal Melbourne in Australia. The last few meetings have not been particularly close. The United States won by seven in the last Presidents Cup two years ago in Canada and has won three of the last four by five points or more.
Are there captains?
Yes, Brandt Snedeker for the United States, and Geoff Ogilvy for the International team.
Who plays for the United States?
Scottie Scheffler Cameron Young Wyndham Clark Sam Burns Russell Henley Collin Morikawa Chris Gotterup Justin Thomas Xander Schauffele Patrick Cantlay Jackson Koivun Jacob Bridgeman
Any notable snubs not on the team?
JJ Spaun, who won the 2025 US Open at Oakmont, was floated as a captain’s pick, but only won the BMW PGA in England on Sunday. So it’s kind of interesting.
Is it. Who is in the international team?
Yes Woo Kim Hideki Matsuyama Ryan Fox Tom Kim Min Woo Lee Adam Scott Sungjae Im Nico Echavarria Corey Conners Nick Taylor Christian Bezuidenhout Ryo Hisatsune
The golf season has been a bit of a sleeper lately. Any of these guys in good shape?
Great question. Did you watch the PGA Tour’s Fall Series opener over the weekend? Bridgeman won! It was his second win of the year.
Nice! What about Scottie?
He has not played since winning $10 million at the Tour Championship last month. But it’s probably fine.
Where do they play?
Medinah Country Club in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.
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