The 16th Presidents Cup is now underway at Medinah Country Club in Illinois, where Team USA, the defending champions, are hosting the International Squad. This four‑day showdown pits the United States against a collection of top players from around the globe in a series of match‑play formats that will ultimately decide who lifts the coveted trophy. The tournament structure consists of five distinct sessions, offering a total of 30 points. The opening day features five four‑ball matches on Thursday, followed by five foursomes matches on Friday.
Saturday is split into two sessions: four four‑ball matches in the morning and four foursomes matches in the afternoon. The competition culminates on Sunday with a full slate of 12 singles matches.
The first side to accumulate at least 15.5 points clinches the Cup. Team USA entered the event as the reigning champions, aiming for an 11th straight victory in the biennial contest.
To retain the title, they need to reach 15 points, given that they already hold the cup. The International Team, meanwhile, is hunting its second overall win and its first since 1998.
Historically, the United States has dominated, winning 13 of the previous 15 editions, while the International side has yet to win on foreign soil. After the Thursday four‑ball session, the scoreboard reads Team USA 3, International Team 2.
The competition remains tight, and the next day’s foursomes will be crucial in shifting momentum. **Friday Foursomes Pairings (BST)** - **19:05** – Scottie Scheffler & Sam Burns vs. Corey Conners & Nick Taylor - **19:19** – Russell Henley & Jacob Bridgeman vs.
Sungjae Im & Hideki Matsuyama - **19:33** – Collin Morikawa & Wyndham Clark vs. Ryan Fox & Min Woo Lee - **19:47** – Justin Thomas & Cameron Young vs.
Adam Scott & Christiaan Bezuidenhout - **20:01** – Patrick Cantlay & Xander Schauffele vs. Tom Kim & Si Woo Kim The Friday lineup showcases a blend of automatic qualifiers and captain’s picks, offering a strategic mix of experience and youthful energy. Notably, the American pairings feature several players who automatically qualified through their world rankings, such as Scheffler, Morikawa, and Clark, while the International side includes rising stars like Sungjae Im and seasoned veterans like Hideki Matsuyama.
**Saturday Schedule** - *Four‑ball tee times (BST):* 13:02, 13:20, 13:38, 13:56 - *Foursomes tee times (BST):* 19:15, 19:29, 19:43, 19:57 The Saturday sessions will be pivotal, as each match carries significant weight toward the 15.5‑point threshold. The morning four‑ball matches give each side a chance to build a lead, while the afternoon foursomes test teamwork and coordination under pressure. **Sunday Singles (BST)** Singles matches will commence at 17:02 and run through 18:19, with all 12 American players facing off against their International counterparts.
The singles format often produces dramatic swings, and with the cup potentially hanging in the balance, every putt will be scrutinized. **Team Captains and Leadership** Team USA is led by former PGA Tour winner Brandt Snedeker, who also brings a cadre of vice‑captains—including Gary Woodland, Jim Furyk, Keegan Bradley, and Webb Simpson—to support strategic decisions.
The International squad is guided by Geoff Ogilvy, a former Open champion, with vice‑captains Trevor Immelman, Tim Clark, Taylor Pendrith, and Camilo Villegas offering additional counsel. **Player Selections** *United States* - **Automatic qualifiers:** Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark, Sam Burns, Russell Henley, Collin Morikawa - **Captain’s picks:** Jacob Bridgeman, Patrick Cantlay, Chris Gotterup, Jackson Koivun, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas *International Team* - **Automatic qualifiers:** Si Woo Kim (Korea), Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), Min Woo Lee (Australia), Tom Kim (Korea), Adam Scott (Australia) - **Captain’s picks:** Sungjae Im (Korea), Nico Echavarria (Colombia), Corey Conners (Canada), Nick Taylor (Canada), Christiaan Bezuidenhout (South Africa), Ryo Hisatsune (Japan) **Broadcast Information** Sky Sports will provide comprehensive live coverage of every session. Thursday’s four‑ball action begins at 5:30 p.m. BST, with the first tee‑off at 5:35 p.m.
(11:35 a.m. local time). Friday’s foursomes kick off at 7:00 p.m.
BST, with the opening match tee‑off at 7:05 p.m. (1:05 p.m.
local). Saturday’s morning four‑ball coverage starts at 1:00 p.m. on Sky Sports+, while the afternoon foursomes air at 7:00 p.m.
on Sky Sports Golf. Sunday’s singles are broadcast from 5:00 p.m. BST on Sky Sports Golf and will continue well beyond the final point being secured. The Presidents Cup shares the Sky Sports lineup this week with the DP World Tour’s Open de France and the LPGA’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, marking the first LPGA event on the channel since the Solheim Cup.
**What’s at Stake?** With Team USA looking to cement a decade‑long dominance and the International contingent eager to break a long drought, the stakes could not be higher. Golf fans worldwide can watch the drama unfold live on Sky Sports or stream via the Sky Sports app, which offers a contract‑free option for those who prefer flexibility. For those interested in playing the sport themselves, Sky Sports partners with over 1,700 courses across the UK and Ireland, providing easy access to tee times and special rates.
The question on everyone’s mind remains: will Team USA extend its reign, or will the International Team finally claim a historic victory? The answer will be written over the next four days on the fairways of Medinah.