U.S. Faces Historic Deficit as 12 Singles Matches Kick Off at Medinah

Key points

• The International team holds a 10.5-7.5 lead after Saturday's foursomes, requiring the U.S. to win 10 of 12 singles to retain the Cup.
• The U.S. is attempting to win its 11th consecutive Presidents Cup title, a streak that has never included a comeback from a deficit on the final day on U.S. soil.
• The International team is aiming for its second-ever Cup victory since the event's inception in 1994, with the last win occurring in 1998.
• Matches start at 12:02 p.m. ET with Ryo Hisatsune facing Cameron Young, followed by Tom Kim vs. Wyndham Clark and Corey Conners vs. Justin Thomas.
• Scottie Scheffler plays Nico Echavarria at 12:38 p.m. ET, while Patrick Cantlay faces Adam Scott at 1:26 p.m. ET in a potential final Cup match for the 46-year-old veteran.
• Coverage of the final day is available on NBC and Peacock from noon to 6 p.m. ET.

Background

The 2026 Presidents Cup began on September 24 at Medinah Country Club, with the U.S. team seeking to extend its winning streak. Captain Brandt Snedeker selected a young roster, including 21-year-old rookie Jackson Koivun, while International captain Geoff Ogilvy assembled a team featuring Jason Day's replacement due to injury. The U.S. held a narrow lead after the first day's fourballs but fell behind after the Internationals shut out the Americans in the second day's foursomes. Saturday's fourballs saw the teams split points, leaving the Internationals with a decisive lead heading into the final day.

How outlets are covering it

NBC Sports provides the official tee times and emphasizes the historical stakes, noting the U.S. has never won from behind on the final day at home. Golf Channel offers a detailed breakdown of each matchup, highlighting player form and strategic choices. For instance, Golf Channel notes that Brandel Chamblee praised International captain Geoff Ogilvy's singles lineup as 'absolutely brilliant.' Golf Channel also points out that Justin Thomas has a 0-3 singles record in this Cup but a 4-0 record in Ryder Cup singles, suggesting inconsistency. Meanwhile, NBC Sports focuses on the broader narrative of the U.S. attempting to break a historic streak, while Golf Channel delves into individual player performance, such as Chris Gotterup's strong play and Russell Henley's struggles.

Why it matters

The outcome of the 2026 Presidents Cup will determine whether the U.S. team can maintain its 10-year winning streak or if the International team can break through for their second-ever Cup victory. The final day's singles matches will test the resilience and strategic acumen of both teams, with the U.S. needing a near-perfect performance to overcome a significant deficit. The event also highlights the evolving dynamics of international golf competition and the impact of team selection and player form on the outcome of high-stakes matches.

What to watch

The 12 singles matches will proceed according to the scheduled tee times, with the final match between Xander Schauffele and Ryan Fox set to begin at 2:14 p.m. ET. The results of these matches will determine the winner of the 2026 Presidents Cup, with the U.S. needing to win 10 of the 12 singles to secure the title. Coverage will continue on NBC and Peacock, providing live updates and highlights throughout the day.