PRESIDENTS CUP · THE COMPETITION GUIDE
Presidents Cup: Format, Teams and How the Match Is Won
The Presidents Cup is a four-day team match between the United States and an International Team drawn from countries outside Europe. Every session adds to one shared scoreboard.
What is the Presidents Cup?
First played in 1994, the Presidents Cup is a biennial men’s team match organised by the PGA TOUR. Team USA faces an International Team made up of players from countries outside Europe, which distinguishes the contest from the Ryder Cup. The event brings together players from several national golf traditions.
How the match format works
The official format uses 30 matches across four days and 12 players on each side. The schedule typically begins with pairs matches and closes with singles. Four-ball allows both partners to play their own ball, with the lower score counting for the side; foursomes requires partners to alternate shots with one ball. In singles, every player goes head-to-head against an opponent. Each match contributes points to the team total. If the teams are tied after all 30 matches, they share the Cup under the event’s tie rules.
Why the International Team matters
The International Team brings together players from countries across Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Americas. That mix can make team selection and partnerships particularly interesting: players may have very different playing styles and may not compete together regularly. The captain’s job is to bring those strengths into a cohesive side and decide how best to deploy each pairing.
What to watch
- The opening pairs sessions, where captains set the tone and look for combinations that click.
- The scoreboard going into Sunday; singles can rapidly change a narrow lead.
- The contrast with the Ryder Cup: this is a U.S.–International contest, not Europe versus the United States.
