Donald Trump will serve as honorary chairman for the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, according to a Saturday announcement by the White House and the PGA Tour. According to PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, the tournament is slated for Sept. 22-27, marking the second time Trump has accepted the honorary role after previously holding it at New Jersey’s Liberty National Golf Club in 2017.
PGA Tour Confirms Trump’s Role for Chicago Tournament
According to the White House and a PGA Tour news release, Trump accepted the invitation to lead as honorary chairman for the upcoming biennial team event. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp stated in the release that the tournament maintains a tradition of engaging world leaders across political lines. Trump previously held the position during the 2017 event in Jersey City, New Jersey, where he participated in the Sunday on-air trophy ceremony, according to PGA Tour coverage.
“At the request of the PGA TOUR, and its great new Commissioner, Brian Rolapp, it is my honor to accept being the honorary chairman of the upcoming Presidents Cup, which will take place at the Medinah Country Club in Chicago,” Trump said in a statement posted to Truth Social. He added that the competition will be exciting and noted that both squads are filled with talent.
Presidents Cup History and the Course at Medinah
The Presidents Cup pits a 12-player U.S. team against a 12-player international team that excludes Europe, which competes separately in the Ryder Cup. According to tournament records, the U.S. team leads the all-time series 13-1-1, with the international team’s sole victory coming at the 1998 event in Melbourne, Australia, alongside a 17-17 tie in South Africa in 2003.
Medinah Country Club’s Course No. 3 sits 25 miles west of Chicago and becomes the sixth different U.S. venue to host the tournament. Opens, a U.S. Senior Open, three Western Opens, and a BMW Championship. Brandt Snedeker will lead the U.S. team as captain for the first time in 2026, while Geoff Ogilvy will captain the International team.
Did you know?
The Presidents Cup has featured global leaders as honorary chairs since its inception, including U.S. Presidents like Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Joe Biden, alongside international figures such as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Australian Prime Minister John Howard, according to tournament history.
Global Leaders and Past Honorary Chairmen
The role of honorary chairman typically rotates between the sitting leader of the host nation or a prominent political figure. According to PGA Tour data, recent chairs include Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2024 and U.S. President Joe Biden in 2022. Trump joins a list of U.S. presidents who have held the title, including Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden.
The announcement follows reporting that Trump is scheduled to travel to Ireland to host the Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf course. Preparations for the Chicago tournament continue as both teams organize scouting trips ahead of the September competition dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Presidents Cup?
The Presidents Cup is a biennial team golf competition featuring 12 players from the United States against 12 players from international countries, excluding Europe.
When and where is the 2026 Presidents Cup?
According to the PGA Tour, the 16th Presidents Cup will take place from Sept. 22-27 at Medinah Country Club in Chicago.
Who serves as honorary chairman for the tournament?
Donald Trump will serve as the honorary chairman for the 2026 event, a role he previously held in 2017, according to the White House and the PGA Tour.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming Presidents Cup in Chicago? Leave a comment below or subscribe to our newsletter for more golf updates.