2026 Presidents Cup · USA vs. International Team
The Presidents Cup is one of golf’s most compelling team competitions — pitting a 12‑man United States team against a 12‑man International Team (excluding Europe). First contested in 1994, the biennial event has delivered dramatic singles matches, intense four‑ball sessions, and unforgettable camaraderie.
In 2026, the world’s best converge on Medinah Country Club outside Chicago. The legendary Course No. 3 has hosted three PGA Championships, a U.S. Open, and the 2012 Ryder Cup — setting the stage for another high‑stakes team battle. Captains will deploy match‑play strategy across five sessions, concluding with 12 singles matches that often decide the Cup.
With the USA aiming to extend its overall series lead and the International Team hungry for their first victory on American soil since 1998, the 2026 Presidents Cup promises world‑class drama and national pride.
⛳ Medinah Country Club (Course No. 3) Overview
Medinah’s Course No. 3 is a classic parkland layout that demands precision off the tee and nerve under pressure. With tree‑lined fairways, undulating greens, and a history of major championships, it provides the perfect stage for match‑play theater.
Quick Course Overview
Originally designed by Tom Bendelow and later refined by Rees Jones, Medinah No. 3 has hosted three PGA Championships (1999, 2006, 2019) and the 1990 U.S. Open. The course rewards aggressive shot‑making but punishes loose drives with thick rough and penal bunkering.
Yardage / Par
- Par: 72
- Yardage: ~7,600 yards (championship tees)
Course Type / Conditions
- Classic tree‑lined parkland design
- Rees Jones renovation with strategic bunkering
- Fast bentgrass greens with subtle tiers
- Length and precision required off the tee
Match Play Keys
- Driving accuracy — avoiding thick rough on demanding doglegs
- Short‑game control around elevated greens
- Momentum holes: Par‑5 5th and 14th offer swing opportunities
- Clutch putting on late‑round breaking putts
Key Holes / Stretch
- Par‑4 7th (470 yards) — a demanding tee shot with water lurking right
- Par‑3 13th (192 yards) — peninsula green, one of the most photographed in golf
- Finishing stretch 16–18 — water in play on 17, uphill approach at 18 creates match‑play drama
Winning Formula
- Control the ball off the tee to access pins
- Win the par‑5s — Medinah’s three reachable fives can decide sessions
- Stay patient in alternate shot; capitalize on opponent mistakes
- Home‑course advantage for USA, but International side brings global firepower
Presidents Cup 2026
2026 Presidents Cup
Match Details
Date: September 24–27, 2026
Location: Medinah CC (No. 3), Medinah, IL
Format: 5 sessions · 30 total matches
Biennial team competition · Captains picks announced summer 2026.
Match HighlightsPresidents Cup History (1994 - Present)
2026 Presidents Cup
Upcoming Team Match
Medinah Country Club, Chicago
USA Captain: TBD | International Captain: TBD
12 USA vs. 12 International (non-European)
5 sessions: fourballs, foursomes, singles
2024 Presidents Cup
Recent Champion
Royal Montreal Golf Club
Final score: USA 18.5 – International 11.5
USA extended home dominance on Canadian soil
International Team seeks first win since 2019
2020s Presidents Cup
Modern Rivalry
USA dominance continues
2022: USA 17.5 – International 12.5 (Quail Hollow)
2019: International 16 – USA 14 (Royal Melbourne)
Only International win in last 10 editions
2010s Presidents Cup
USA Streak Era
American dominance
2017: USA 19 – International 11 (Liberty National)
2015: USA 15.5 – International 14.5 (Jack Nicklaus Korea)
2013: USA 18.5 – International 15.5 (Muirfield Village)
2000s Presidents Cup
International Success
Global competition rises
2003: Historic tie (South Africa)
2005: USA 18.5 – International 15.5 (Robert Trent Jones GC)
International Team captured first Cup in 1998 (Australia)
Match Format
5 Sessions · 30 Points
Match play team competition
Thursday: 5 fourball matches
Friday: 5 foursomes matches
Saturday: 4 fourball, 4 foursomes; Sunday: 12 singles
Host Venue
Medinah Country Club (No. 3)
Championship Parkland Layout
Host of 2012 Ryder Cup
Three PGA Championships, one U.S. Open
Par 72 · ~7,600 yards
Captains & Teams
Leadership Role
12 players per side
USA: 12 automatic (FedExCup points)
International: Official World Golf Ranking & picks
Captains announced early 2026
The Presidents Cup Legacy
Since its inception in 1994, the Presidents Cup has become a cornerstone of international team golf, pitting the best from the United States against a formidable International Team representing the rest of the world (excluding Europe). The competition has delivered unforgettable drama — from the 2003 tie at The Links at Fancourt to the International Team’s upset victory at Royal Melbourne in 2019.
Medinah Country Club adds another chapter in 2026, a venue famous for the “Medinah Miracle” Ryder Cup comeback. With passionate Chicago crowds and a layout that tests every facet of match play, the Presidents Cup continues to foster global rivalries and celebrate the spirit of team competition. The USA holds a commanding overall lead (12–1–1), but the International side consistently fields world‑class talent eager to capture the Cup on American soil.
The event’s unique format — fourball, foursomes, and 12 singles matches — encourages bold strategy and captain ingenuity. Beyond trophies, the Presidents Cup raises significant funds for global charities, reinforcing golf’s commitment to community impact. As 2026 approaches, the rivalry renews with new captains, rising stars, and a legendary Chicago venue poised to host another historic chapter.