What Is the Presidents Cup?
The Presidents Cup is a biennial match-play golf competition between a 12-player U.S. Team and a 12-player International Team made up of eligible non-European golfers.
How the Presidents Cup works
The teams compete for 30 match-play points across four-ball, foursomes, and singles sessions. A match win earns one point, a tied match earns half a point for each side, and 15.5 points wins the Cup outright.
This page explains the evergreen competition format. For current dates, venue details, qualification rules, and the fact that the 2026 rosters are not final, see the 2026 Presidents Cup guide.
Presidents Cup vs. Ryder Cup
Both events are biennial team match-play competitions using four-ball, foursomes, and singles. The key difference is the opposition: the Presidents Cup matches the United States against an International Team of eligible players from outside Europe, while the Ryder Cup matches the United States against Europe.
The Presidents Cup has 30 points available across four competition days, so 15.5 points wins the Cup outright. The Ryder Cup has 28 points across three days, with 14.5 points needed to win outright. The qualification systems and captain's picks are set separately for each event, so a player's Ryder Cup eligibility does not determine Presidents Cup eligibility.
Who Plays in the Presidents Cup?
Every two years, the Presidents Cup features 12 of the top International Team golfers (from countries excluding Europe and the United States) going head-to-head against 12 of the best players from the United States in a four-day, match-play competition that transforms individual stars into passionate teammates.
Established in 1994 by the PGA Tour, the Presidents Cup was created to showcase the world's best golfers from regions beyond the United States and Europe. This biennial contest has become one of golf's premier team events, featuring players from Asia, Africa, South America, Canada, and Australia.
Tournament Format
Thursday
Four-Ball Session
5 matches - Best ball format
Recent Presidents Cups have opened with one team session on Thursday.
Friday
Foursomes Session
5 matches - Alternate shot
Session order is confirmed by official tournament channels for each edition.
Saturday
Morning: Four-Ball
4 matches - Best ball
Afternoon: Foursomes
4 matches - Alternate shot
Sunday
Singles Matches
12 individual head-to-head matches
Points to Win
Legendary Moments
Historic Tie in South Africa (2003)
The only tie in Presidents Cup history. After regulation ended 17-17, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els battled in sudden death darkness before captains agreed to share the Cup.
International Team's Only Victory (1998)
The International Team's sole outright victory came at Royal Melbourne. Led by captain Peter Thomson, the team dominated with a 20.5-11.5 victory on home soil.
USA Dominance at Quail Hollow (2022)
Team USA delivered one of their most dominant performances, winning 17.5-12.5. Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and the American squad showcased exceptional team play.
Tiger Woods' Legacy (1998-2019)
Tiger Woods produced one of the competition's greatest records, with 27 match wins across 9 appearances. His 27-15-1 mark remains one of the defining individual records in Presidents Cup history.
Inaugural Tournament (1994)
The first Presidents Cup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club saw Team USA defeat the International Team 20-12, with Hale Irwin captaining the inaugural U.S. side.
International Captain Evolution (2009-2019)
Greg Norman captained the International Team in 2009 and 2011, before Nick Price and Ernie Els shaped the next phase of International Team leadership.
Trophy & Traditions
Prize Money & Charity
No Prize Purse: The Presidents Cup is centered on team competition rather than a traditional winner's purse.
Charitable Focus: The event has generated substantial charitable support through player, captain, and tournament-related initiatives.
The Presidents Cup Trophy
The Presidents Cup trophy is a stunning crystal and silver piece that symbolizes international golf excellence. Standing approximately 30 inches tall, it features a globe design representing the international nature of the competition.
Commissioned by the PGA Tour in 1994, the trophy celebrates the global reach of golf and the spirit of competition between the United States and the rest of the world (excluding Europe).
Key Traditions
Opening Ceremony
A spectacular ceremony featuring both teams, national anthems, and the official handover of the trophy.
Team Rooms
Separate team rooms where players strategize, bond, and prepare. These become the heart of team spirit.
Singles Envelope
Captains submit their Sunday singles lineup in a sealed envelope before Saturday play ends.
Victory Celebrations
Wild celebrations, champagne showers, and the ceremonial raising of the trophy mark the competition's end.
Latest Edition: 2024 Royal Montreal
Historic 10th Consecutive Victory
Team USA extended their dominance with a convincing 18.5-11.5 victory at Royal Montreal Golf Club, marking their tenth consecutive Presidents Cup triumph and 13th overall win in the competition's history.
The 7-point margin of victory set a new record for the largest winning margin by an away team in Presidents Cup history. Despite a spirited effort from Mike Weir's International squad on their home continent, the American team's depth and experience proved decisive.
Clinching Moment
Future Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley secured the winning point with a 1-up victory over Si Woo Kim in Sunday singles. The moment was particularly emotional for Bradley, who hadn't competed in a Presidents Cup since his previous appearance.
Next Presidents Cup: 2026
The 2026 Presidents Cup will be held at Medinah Country Club's Course #3 in Chicago, Illinois from September 22-27, 2026. Team USA captain Brandt Snedeker will face International Team captain Geoff Ogilvy in this historic event.
September 22-27, 2026
Mark your calendar
Medinah Country Club
Course #3, Chicago, Illinois
USA vs International
Snedeker vs Ogilvy
Sources and further reading
- 2026 Presidents Cup event information - Presidents Cup
- 2026 qualification rules and standings - Presidents Cup
- Ryder Cup teams, format, and scoring - Ryder Cup
- Presidents Cup history and results overview - Wikipedia
- Medinah 2026 event overview - Chicago Golf Report