MEDINAH, IL — Now do it for real.
The Presidents Cup is nice and all, and extending what was already a lopsided winning streak is always fun. But the Presidents Cup isn’t the Ryder Cup, and it never will be. If U.S. golfers, and their captains, want to get people off their backs, they need to do this again next year in Europe.
The Americans won The Presidents Cup for the 11th consecutive time on Sunday, Sept. 27, dominating the international team in singles to win 17-13 at Medinah Country Club in the Chicago suburbs. Since the biennial match play tournament began in 1994, the U.S. team has won it all but two times.
This was not a win so much as it was an escape, however.
Cup win
Americans have big edge on talent
The Americans brought a team that had eight players in the top 11 of the most recent Official World Golf Ranking, including No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. The best international player, Si Woo Kim, is ranked No. 14, with Ryan Fox (23) the only other one in the top 25.
The lowest-ranked American, meanwhile, is Jackson Koivun, at No. 57 — and that’s only because he just turned pro in June. The lowest-ranked international player is Christiaan Bezuidenhout, at No. 102 in the world.
So, no, not really a fair fight.
Yet the Americans came into the last day of the four-day event trailing by three points, needing to win eight of the 12 singles matches to retain the Presidents Cup. While they deserve credit for doing it, it’s also what should be expected of a team with their caliber of talent.
“We had a really great first three days, and today just didn’t go our way,” international captain Geoff Ogilvy said. “It’s a hard thing to do, to beat the U.S. team in singles in the U.S. But we gave it a good crack.”
Next year it won’t be so easy for the Americans.
The Ryder Cup will be played in Ireland, which means there will be no boost from an adoring home crowd. The opponents will be more formidable, with nine European players currently in the world top 20, including No. 2 Rory McIlroy. Europe’s captain will again be Luke Donald, who has led his side to victory at the last two Ryder Cups.
And, for whatever reason, the Europeans just do team play better.
US has not won Ryder Cup in Europe since 1993
Europe has won 12 of the last 15 Ryder Cups, often by healthy margins. Of the three events the Americans did win during this stretch, all were in the United States. Not since 1993 has the United States won a Ryder Cup in Europe.
“I'm tired of hearing how these guys aren't close. I'm tired of hearing how we can't play team golf. Guys just proved it right then and there,” Brandt Snedeker, the U.S. captain at this Presidents Cup, said.
Until they do it in the Ryder Cup, however, it won’t matter.
Most American sports fans, whether they are golf fans or not, are familiar with the Ryder Cup. First played in 1927, most of golf's greatest names have participated in it and it's featured some of golf's most epic battles. The Spanish Armada, Brookline, Medinah.
The Presidents Cup just doesn't have the same history. Or gravitas.
“I’m not sure,” Justin Thomas said when asked if there’s anything the U.S. team can take from The Presidents Cup that can help them next year.
“I know that we have a lot of faith in ourselves and each other,” Thomas added, “and we believe we can do a lot of things, a lot of good things, especially out there in these team events. We get excited to play in them.”
COMEBACK COMPLETE!
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) September 27, 2026
The U.S. Team clinches its ELEVENTH Presidents Cup in a row in dramatic fashion, besting the International Team at Medinah.
📺: NBC pic.twitter.com/HOnwtT0Bre
Young Americans shine
Perhaps the most promising sign for the Americans’ future was the play of the rookies at Medinah. Chris Gotterup tied Sheffler and Cameron Young for most points among the Americans, with three. Jacob Bridgeman delivered the winning point Sunday. Koivun was the only American to go unbeaten over the four days, making Snedeker’s once-controversial pick look inspired.
If they can keep playing at the level they’re at, they will be mainstays of U.S. teams for years to come.
“Our three rookies, they balled out this week. I'm really proud of them. I'm really happy for them,” said Jim Furyk, the Ryder Cup captain next year who was one of Snedeker’s assistants this week.
“More than anything, I just want these 12 guys down here to really enjoy themselves and enjoy what they accomplished together because it was special today.”
Special, sure. But not spectacular. A win of that magnitude can only come at the Ryder Cup.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US needs to follow up Presidents Cup win with Ryder Cup triumph | Opinion
