The Stage at Medinah
The Presidents Cup tees off September 24 at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, marking the 16th edition of the biennial team competition. Unlike typical PGA Tour events, this is pure match play with no prize purse. The stakes are national pride and a chance to end or extend a historic streak.
The U.S. holds a dominant 13-1-1 record in Presidents Cup history, and they're riding a 10-straight-win streak. Brandt Snedeker captains the U.S. team while Geoff Ogilvy leads the International side, each fielding 12 players composed of six automatic qualifiers and six captain's picks.
The competition features 30 total matches across four days: 18 team matches (nine Foursomes, nine Four-ball) followed by 12 Singles matches on Sunday. The first team to reach 15.5 points wins.
The Redesigned Course
Originally designed by Tom Bendelow and redesigned by OCM in 2024, Course No. 3 features larger greens, bigger bunkers, wider fairways, and broad areas of long fescue rough. OCM kept the corridors of the opening 12 holes in place but eliminated two redundant par 3s and introduced three entirely new holes, creating an entirely different experience from the midway point of the back nine.
The routing for this week adds another layer. Competition starts on what members play as the fifth hole, proceeds around, then matches that go the distance finish on what are normally holes 1-4. This strategic sequencing aims to showcase the course's most dramatic holes when matches are tightest.
Medinah has hosted three U.S. Opens (1949, 1975, 1990), two PGA Championships (1999, 2006), and the 2012 Ryder Cup, where Europe mounted a legendary comeback. The parkland layout rewards precision iron play and steady putting on bentgrass surfaces. With plans to accommodate 35,000 spectators daily, the atmosphere should mirror major championship intensity.
Key U.S. Team Players
Scottie Scheffler leads the automatic qualifiers alongside Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Russell Henley, Sam Burns, and Collin Morikawa. Scheffler enters as world No. 1, fresh off his FedEx St. Jude Championship and TOUR Championship victories. His consistency across all facets makes him invaluable in both team and singles formats.
Wyndham Clark brings major championship pedigree after his U.S. Open win at Shinnecock Hills in June and his BMW Championship victory in August. His length off the tee and aggressive iron play fit Medinah's demands. Clark's ability to make birdies in bunches could swing tight matches.
Xander Schauffele brings a 10-4-0 career Presidents Cup record, making him one of the most experienced match play performers on either roster. Justin Thomas carries a 10-3-2 mark, while Patrick Cantlay also sits at 10-4-0. Their ability to handle pressure situations in alternate shot formats cannot be overstated.
Jackson Koivun, the 21-year-old phenom named to his first Presidents Cup just months after turning pro, represents the bold captain's pick. His recent 3M Open victory showed fearless play under pressure. Snedeker clearly values his momentum and fit for team dynamics.
International Team Threats
Si Woo Kim, Ryan Fox, Hideki Matsuyama, Tom Kim, Min Woo Lee, and Adam Scott earned automatic qualification. Si Woo Kim topped the International standings to qualify for his fourth Presidents Cup, bringing valuable experience to a roster mixing veterans with newcomers.
Ryan Fox will make his debut after winning The Open at Royal Birkdale in July. His links victory demonstrates the ball-striking consistency needed on a redesigned course where precision trumps power. Fox's steady demeanor should translate well to the match play format.
Hideki Matsuyama remains the International team's anchor, capable of matching anyone on the U.S. roster shot for shot. Adam Scott plays his 12th Presidents Cup, providing leadership and a calming presence for the four International rookies.
Pool Strategy for Match Play
Match play scoring differs fundamentally from stroke play pools. You're evaluating players not just on skill but on partnership compatibility, resilience after losses, and ability to deliver points when captains need them most.
Favor players with proven team event records. Veterans like Schauffele, Thomas, and Cantlay understand match play rhythms and rarely let matches slip away. They know when to concede putts, when to apply pressure, and how to support partners in alternate shot formats.
Consider captain's pick motivations. Players selected outside automatic spots often carry extra motivation. Jackson Koivun and Chris Gotterup will want to validate their selections with strong performances. That emotional edge can be worth points in tight matches.
Stuck between players? Our player comparison tool uses real PGA Tour strokes-gained data and weights each category by what this course rewards, then names the pick with a probability score.
Building Your Presidents Cup Pool
The Presidents Cup offers a unique pool opportunity distinct from standard stroke play events. Team dynamics, format variations across four days, and momentum swings create strategic depth beyond individual talent evaluation.
If you're running a Presidents Cup pool for your golf group, our platform handles match play scoring, team formats, and daily session results. Set up your pool at golfpools.co/event/presidents-cup-2026 to track matches in real time as the competition unfolds.
Ready to run any golf pool with customizable scoring and automated leaderboards? Create your pool now and have everything ready before the opening Foursomes matches Thursday morning.