U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker credited President Donald Trump after the American squad rallied to defeat the International team 17-13 at the 2026 Presidents Cup on Sunday at Medinah Country Club, erasing a deficit by winning nine of twelve singles matches.
The United States entered the final day of the biennial match-play event facing an unprecedented deficit on home soil. Trailing 10½-7½ heading into Sunday singles at Medinah Country Club, the Americans needed a massive charge to avoid losing a team event in the United States for the first time in the tournament’s history. Team USA arrived at the week having claimed 10 straight overall titles and every one of the eight Presidents Cups contested on their own turf, despite a 15-13 defeat to Europe at the previous year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
Instead, captain Brandt Snedeker deployed his top players early to shift the momentum, and the strategy worked as the team secured a 17-13 victory. When the dust settled, the red, white, and blue had claimed nine of the twelve afternoon matches to secure their 11th consecutive win in the competition.
Brandt Snedeker Credits Donald Trump for the Winning Energy
Tournament honorary chairman Donald Trump watched the action unfold from the course and met with team leaders before play began. Snedeker later told reporters that the visit provided a vital mental boost for the squad.
“It’s really special because I got to meet President Trump today on the first tee. As he told me this morning, he brought some juice for us today and I told him if it turned out our way, I was going to give him credit. He definitely brought the juice. He deserves a lot of the credit for what happened today.” Brandt Snedeker, U.S.
One last shoutout: Donald Trump. President Trump. He told me, 'I [am] going to bring energy today for you. You guys need it.' I told him if we did this, he gets all the credit. So, thank you, President Trump. Snedeker
Trump arrived via motorcade at the 14th green near the Byzantine-style clubhouse shortly after the victory to present the Presidents Cup trophy to the American team. He shook hands and congratulated every player and vice-captain on the roster. Trump’s last attendance as honorary chairman was in 2017, where the Americans also notched a win.
Singles Showdowns and Decisive Matches at Medinah
The American comeback relied on strong performances from both veterans and rookies across the Sunday lineup. Snedeker sent out some of his best players in the first few matches to put pressure on the Internationals. Cameron Young set the tone early in the leadoff spot; despite falling 2 down to Ryo Hisatsune after four holes, Young won five of the next 12 holes to win 3&2.
Match-play specialist Justin Thomas followed with a dominant 5&3 victory over Corey Conners. Thomas, who held a career record of 20-10-5 in Presidents Cups and Ryder Cups heading into Sunday, took five of the first six holes. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler then held off 32-year-old Colombian Nico Echavarria 2&1.
The International side fought back through standout performances from Tom Kim, who finished as the tournament’s leading scorer with four points after defeating Wyndham Clark, and Sungjae Im, who topped Sam Burns. Yet the Americans maintained their edge down the stretch.
Collin Morikawa secured a crucial full point in a tight battle against Hideki Matsuyama, winning 1 up after breaking a late tie on the 18th green. Moments later, Patrick Cantlay buried a 57-foot birdie putt on the 16th hole against Adam Scott before closing out a 2&1 win, pushing the U.S. ahead 13½-12½.
Presidents Cup rookie Jacob Bridgeman ultimately delivered the winning point for the United States, converting a par putt on the 18th green to seal the historic comeback.
Security Measures and Aviation Impacts in the Chicago Area
The presidential visit brought heightened logistics to the Chicago area venue. Air Force One flew over the course as gates opened Sunday morning. Spectators entering the first tee grandstand — which accommodated up to 5,000 fans — faced TSA-style security screening instituted by tournament organizers. Fans filled the bleachers and lined the first fairway for Trump’s first visit to the Chicago area during his second term in the White House.
Earlier in the day, about 30 minutes before the first match teed off, Trump addressed the crowd from the first tee after being introduced by PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp. Trump joked about public speaking and jabbed at the fake news media,
whom he said would report that he received a poor reception.
Brian asked if I could give a brief speech and I replied, ‘No, I don’t have the courage to make a speech. These people wanna see golf. They don’t wanna hear speeches.’ I’ll only say this: Our country is doing great, better than ever before. I now want to see the world’s greatest players compete today and play your hearts out.
Following the speech, the crowd began chanting “USA” and Four more years,
which Trump acknowledged by pumping his fist. Trump then said hello to all the golfers on the International and U.S. teams before each player took their first shot on the first hole.