Data Golf Rankings Reveal a Stronger International Squad Than Ogilvy’s Final Picks

Key points

• Geoff Ogilvy’s International team includes Corey Conners, Sungjae Im, and Nico Echavarria, but omits top-ranked players like Kevin Yu and Joaquin Niemann.
• Brandt Snedeker’s U.S. team features Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and debutant Jackson Koivun, with notable omissions of Ryan Gerard and Ben Griffin.
• A hypothetical International team based on Data Golf rankings would include Si Woo Kim, Hideki Matsuyama, and Kevin Yu, but still faces a predicted 17.5-12.5 loss to Team USA.
• The event runs from September 24 to 27 at Medinah Country Club, with Team USA aiming for its 11th consecutive victory.

Background

The 2026 Presidents Cup marks the 11th consecutive attempt by Team USA to secure the trophy. Previous coverage noted that the rosters were finalized in early September, with debate surrounding surprise picks like Jackson Koivun for the U.S. and Christiaan Bezuidenhout for the International team. The International team has historically struggled with depth, a challenge exacerbated by the formation of LIV Golf, which prevented players like Cam Smith and Joaquin Niemann from qualifying automatically in 2022.

How outlets are covering it

HITC emphasizes the gap between the actual International roster and a hypothetical top-ranked lineup, highlighting that Kevin Yu and Joaquin Niemann were excluded despite high Data Golf rankings. Golf Channel focuses on the finalized U.S. roster, noting the surprise omissions of Ryan Gerard and Ben Griffin, and detailing the debut of 21-year-old Jackson Koivun. While HITC uses AI to predict a lopsided U.S. victory even with a stronger International squad, Golf Channel provides a detailed breakdown of player records and qualifications, underscoring the strength of the U.S. automatic qualifiers like Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa.

Why it matters

The Presidents Cup is a high-profile team event that showcases the depth and strategy of both the PGA Tour and international golf. The debate over roster selection highlights the challenges faced by the International team in competing against the deep bench of Team USA, particularly in a format where 30 points are at stake over four days. The event also serves as a platform for emerging talents like Jackson Koivun and Chris Gotterup to prove themselves on a global stage.

What to watch

The 2026 Presidents Cup will take place from September 24 to 27 at Medinah Country Club. Team USA is favored to win, with Scottie Scheffler predicted to be the leading points scorer. The International team will rely on players like Si Woo Kim and Hideki Matsuyama to compete, but the depth of the U.S. squad is expected to be a decisive factor. Coverage will be available on NBC and Golf Channel, with streaming options on Peacock.