The final score of the 2026 Presidents Cup stood at 17-13, with the U.S. team emerging victorious. Yet, it’s hard to shake off the feeling that, despite the result, the Americans were lucky to avoid embarrassment against a clearly less competitive International team. If you watched the four days of golf at Medinah, you might not walk away feeling particularly optimistic about the state of U.S. team golf.
For three days, the American team was decidedly outplayed by their International counterparts. However, once the Sunday singles matches kicked in and it was a direct face-off of 12 players from each side, the U.S. managed to leverage its depth. The average World Ranking for the American players was 15.1 compared to the International team’s 50.1, and that disparity became glaring when it was crucial.
The Internationals gave away the Presidents Cup. Period.
Heading into Sunday, the Internationals had a three-point lead and needed just five points out of a possible 12 to clinch their second-ever Presidents Cup victory. They concluded the day with only 2.5 points. When looked at another way, the International team surrendered 9.5 points of the 12 available, which is, honestly, pretty astonishing.
It’s fair to say that, given the Americans’ home advantage and their stronger lineup, the International team essentially choked away the event. Ryo Hisatsune held a 1-up lead over Cameron Young but ended up losing 3&2. Hideki Matsuyama was also 1-up on Collin Morikawa with just four holes left but couldn’t even secure a half point. Meanwhile, Si Woo Kim and Jackson Koivun went into the 13th hole all square, but the rookie Koivun, relatively new to professional golf, claimed a 2-up win. Min Woo Lee had a 1-up edge on Jacob Bridgeman through the 15th hole but faltered, allowing the American to convert a clinching putt on the 18th for a match win.
Golf is unpredictable
As we’ve seen time and again in golf, it’s an unpredictable game. The American players found their stride just when they needed it, and it does seem fair to say that the Internationals fell short at a crucial moment. That said, the American team felt more relief than elation, especially since they faced a substantial deficit going into the last day.
Rookies like Chris Gotterup, who scored three points, and Koivun, who tallied 2.5 points while carrying the expectations of being the next big thing in American golf, along with six captain’s picks going a perfect 6-0 in singles, highlighted some bright spots for the Americans. But, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. There were plenty of operational bumps, especially with the 2027 Ryder Cup on the horizon.
Scottie Scheffler’s rollercoaster Sunday
Scottie Scheffler, as expected, secured a full point for the U.S. with a 2&1 victory against Nico Echavarria. The outcome, though, was overshadowed by several dramatic moments. On the 14th hole, a fan distracted Echavarria during his backswing, prompting Scheffler to call out the fan. He later went above and beyond by conceding a lengthy par putt for Echavarria, ensuring the match continued longer instead of taking a 4-up lead towards the end.
While that act was commendable, Scheffler’s post-match demeanor with the media was puzzling. When asked about being sidelined during a previous session, rather than providing a straightforward answer, he turned the question back on the reporter. It’s interesting because, on one hand, he genuinely comes across as a decent person, but that exchange leaves one scratching their head. Surely, addressing this fair question would have made more sense than playing dodge. After all, the golf community wants clarity about a top player not participating in all matches when the team was struggling.
It’s apparent that, despite his extraordinary golfing talent, Scheffler is just human. And while he’s not required to enjoy every question from the press, being the world’s top player means dealing with some uncomfortable situations, especially in a team context. If he slips, even momentarily, it’s bound to attract some criticism.
A lingering sense of false hope
The prevailing feeling from this Presidents Cup is reminiscent of past events: each time seems like a building block leading up to the next Ryder Cup. The Americans closed out the weekend with a dominant performance in singles matches, which certainly saved Brandt Snedeker from being labeled one of the worst captains in history. However, if a similar scenario plays out at the 2027 Ryder Cup in Ireland, it could lead to a disheartening situation for the U.S. team.
They won’t have the luxury of relying on depth against Europe if they encounter a deficit like they had against the Internationals. The Americans face a pressing reality; if they can’t solve their issues in alternate shot format, they might be in for a challenging three days next year.
Historically, the U.S. hasn’t fared well in the Ryder Cup overseas. They haven’t claimed the trophy in Europe since 1993, and with past shortcomings still fresh in memories, it won’t be surprising if concerns linger until something changes. For now, the U.S. team must find a way to improve their play, particularly in formats like foursomes, and the waiting game has been a long one for fans anticipating a breakthrough.
