The Presidents Cup, a prestigious event held every two years, features a competition between top PGA Tour players from the United States and a select international team. While the tournament has been largely dominated by the U.S., which leads with a 13-1-1 record, the upcoming 2026 edition promises an intriguing dynamic due to the location and the captains involved.
Medinah Country Club to Host 2026 Presidents Cup
In September 2026, Medinah Country Club in Illinois will host the Presidents Cup for the first time since 2012. Known for its challenging layout, the course is set to play a crucial role in determining which team has the edge. An interesting twist is that the captain of the International team, Australian Geoff Ogilvy, may have a distinct home course advantage.
Geoff Ogilvy: A Course Expert
Ogilvy, a former player for the International team, has a deep connection to Medinah’s famed No. 3 course. His design firm, OCM, oversaw a significant renovation of the historic layout, a project that took two years to complete. The renovated course, which re-opened last summer, boasts larger greens, more strategic bunkering, wide fairways, and a completely reworked routing.
As captain of the International team, Ogilvy will enter the competition with intimate knowledge of the course. He knows every detail of the changes made during the renovation and will be highly familiar with the course’s intricacies.
Brandt Snedeker Faces the Challenge
On the U.S. side, captain Brandt Snedeker faces a unique challenge. Although he has extensive experience in team golf, having competed in multiple Presidents Cups and Ryder Cups, he is less familiar with Medinah’s changes. Snedeker, who was on the U.S. team in the 2013 Presidents Cup and has served as an assistant captain in the 2024 Presidents Cup, was introduced to the updated Medinah layout just recently during a walk-through.
Snedeker acknowledged Ogilvy’s hard work on the course but made it clear that adjustments are planned for the 2026 Presidents Cup. He mentioned that the routing of the course would be altered slightly, with hole 4 becoming the first hole, which will affect how both teams approach the course.
Ogilvy Downplays His Advantage
Despite his familiarity with Medinah, Ogilvy downplays the significance of his edge. He recognizes that team golf is a dynamic sport, and the competition is never decided solely by course knowledge. Ogilvy mentioned that there is much more to a match like this than knowing the course inside and out. Nonetheless, Ogilvy’s inside knowledge will certainly be a factor as he prepares his team for the challenge.
Course Changes for the 2026 Event
The redesigned Medinah No. 3 course will present new challenges to both teams. While the course re-opened last summer, the 2026 event will feature further changes. The most significant of these will be the re-routing of the course. Hole 4, for example, will become the first hole. These adjustments will change how players approach the course and could affect how both teams play.
With Ogilvy’s deep connection to Medinah, it’s clear that the 2026 Presidents Cup will bring unique challenges and dynamics. The U.S. team will need to adapt quickly to the course’s changes, while Ogilvy and the International team will leverage their captain’s insight for a potential advantage.
Other Notable Events in Golf
In addition to the Presidents Cup excitement, the Jackson T. Stephens Cup will also take place in September 2026 at Shoreacres in Lake Bluff. This prestigious event will bring together 12 collegiate men’s and women’s teams, as well as individuals from U.S. Military Service Academies and Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
On the collegiate scene, Illinois senior Jackson Buchanan has been named the winner of the Byron Nelson Award, which honors excellence in academics, community service, and golf performance. Buchanan, who shared the low score at a U.S. Open local qualifier, is recognized for his achievements both on and off the course.