Snedeker Pairs Scheffler and Burns to Open U.S. Push for 11th Straight Presidents Cup Title

Key points

• The 16th Presidents Cup started Thursday, Sept. 24, at Medinah Country Club’s No. 3 Course outside Chicago, with five fourball matches beginning at 12:35 p.m. ET.
• U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker paired world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler with No. 8 Sam Burns in the opening match against Sungjae Im and Min Woo Lee, despite the pair’s 0-3-1 record together in Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup events.
• The U.S. is favored in the first two matches, while the Internationals are favored in the final two, including a rematch of Tom Kim and Si Woo Kim against Patrick Cantlay and Chris Gotterup.
• Jackson Koivun, a 21-year-old rookie, made his Presidents Cup debut in the third match alongside Justin Thomas against Corey Conners and Nico Echavarria.
• The U.S. has won the past 10 Presidents Cup events and is heavily favored to extend the streak, according to CBS Sports.

Background

The 2026 Presidents Cup follows the 2026 Tour Championship at East Lake, where players like Viktor Hovland and Ryan Gerard competed in the final group. U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker selected a 12-player roster including six automatic qualifiers and six captain’s picks, with Jackson Koivun’s inclusion noted as a bold move to add youth. The International team, led by Geoff Ogilvy, also finalized its roster, with Jason Day absent due to injury. The event runs Sept. 24–27 at Medinah, with approximately 35,000 fans expected daily and President Donald Trump expected to visit.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports and Golf Channel provided detailed tee times and matchup analysis, with NBC Sports emphasizing the U.S. favorite status in the first two matches and Golf Channel offering statistical breakdowns. CBS Sports highlighted the U.S. 10-year winning streak and the likelihood of an 11th title, while also noting Cameron Young as a key player. ESPN’s source was inaccessible due to a 403 error, so no additional perspectives were available from that outlet.

Why it matters

The 2026 Presidents Cup is a high-profile event showcasing the best golfers from the U.S. and Internationals, with the U.S. seeking to extend a 10-year winning streak. The event’s outcome will influence perceptions of team strength and player performance, particularly for rookies like Jackson Koivun and stars like Scottie Scheffler. The competition also serves as a precursor to future Ryder Cup dynamics, given the overlapping player rosters and team strategies.

What to watch

The 2026 Presidents Cup will continue with five foursomes matches on Friday, followed by two four-match sessions on Saturday and a 12-match singles session on Sunday. The U.S. team’s performance in the opening fourball matches will set the tone for the remainder of the event, with the Internationals aiming to close the gap in the later sessions. Coverage will continue on Golf Channel and NBC, with additional analysis and updates expected as the competition progresses.