Presidents Cup 2026 Trump is the headline of a sports-packed presidential weekend: President Donald Trump is heading to Illinois on Sunday to attend the final round of the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Country Club, the PGA Tour has officially confirmed. The visit caps a weekend that began with Trump in Knoxville, Tennessee, for Saturday’s college football showdown between No. 1 Texas and No. 13 Tennessee.
Reuters reported on September 25 that Trump’s schedule included the Tennessee-Texas game on September 26 and the Presidents Cup in Illinois on September 27. On Saturday, USA Today reported that the PGA Tour confirmed Trump is committed to attend Sunday’s final session, when 12 singles matches will decide the biennial team golf event.
Trump’s Role at the Presidents Cup 2026
Trump is attending the event as its Honorary Chairman, a role he accepted in August after an invitation from PGA Tour Commissioner Brian Rolapp, according to the Tour’s press release. It is his second time in the role: he also served as honorary chairman of the 2017 Presidents Cup at Liberty National in New Jersey, where he attended the final day and took part in the trophy ceremony.
Trump is the seventh U.S. president to hold the honorary chairman title, joining Joe Biden, Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, and Gerald Ford, according to USA Today.
The visit is bringing heavy security to Medinah Country Club, roughly 25 miles west of downtown Chicago. According to USA Today, the PGA Tour announced enhanced security and additional restrictions for Sunday, including TSA-style screening to enter the first-tee grandstand, which seats up to 5,000 spectators. Golfweek reported that White House officials requested that the Tour allow Trump to speak for 15 minutes as part of his appearance — a request that remains unconfirmed.
Players React to Trump’s Visit
Trump’s expected visit has been a talking point all week at Medinah, with several U.S. players welcoming the chance to compete in front of the commander in chief. According to NDTV Sports, Sam Burns said, “Being an American, I think it’s very important that we do support our president, regardless of your political views.” Wyndham Clark called the moment “pretty amazing,” while Xander Schauffele said it was “awesome” that the president supports the U.S. team.
Trump’s connection to golf is long-standing. According to USA Today, he watched the Cadillac Championship from a green-side suite in Miami in May and attended matches during last year’s Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black in New York.
The Tournament: U.S. Trails 10.5-7.5 Into Sunday
The on-course drama is real. Entering Sunday’s singles session, the United States faces a 10.5-7.5 deficit against the International team and is trying to avoid just its second loss in the biennial event since it began in 1994, according to USA Today.
The 16th Presidents Cup, contested September 24-27, pits a 12-player United States team against a 12-player International team of golfers from outside the U.S. and Europe. Brandt Snedeker is captaining the American side, while Geoff Ogilvy leads the International team.
The Americans have dominated the event historically: the U.S. owns a 13-1-1 record through the first 15 editions and has won the previous 10 Presidents Cups. The International team’s lone victory came in Australia in 1998, while the 2003 event in South Africa ended in a tie. Sunday’s 12 singles matches will decide it all — the first team to reach 15.5 points takes the Cup.
Medinah Country Club’s No. 3 course is a storied venue, having hosted the 2012 Ryder Cup, multiple PGA Championships, and three U.S. Opens. Sunday’s final round is scheduled to be televised nationally from noon until 6 p.m. ET.
Saturday Stop: Texas Beats Tennessee 20-17 With Trump in Knoxville
Before Illinois, Trump spent Saturday at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville for the Texas-Tennessee college football game. According to the Associated Press, top-ranked Texas held off No. 14 Tennessee 20-17 in the Longhorns’ first visit to Neyland Stadium.
The defensive battle was defined by Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons, who tied a program record with five sacks, and a late 4-yard touchdown run by Raleek Brown that gave the Longhorns the winning margin in the SEC opener for both teams. Tennessee nearly stole it: freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon hit Mike Matthews for a 30-yard touchdown with 1:22 remaining and the Vols recovered the onside kick, but the comeback bid died when Brandon’s final Hail Mary was batted away in the end zone, per the AP.
Trump has made sporting events a recurring part of his public schedule. According to USA Today, his summer included Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the World Cup final, the IndyCar Freedom 250, and Saturday’s Texas-Tennessee game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trump attending the Presidents Cup 2026?
Yes. The PGA Tour officially confirmed that President Donald Trump is committed to attend the final round of the 2026 Presidents Cup on Sunday, September 27, at Medinah Country Club in Illinois.
What is Trump’s role at the Presidents Cup?
Trump is the Honorary Chairman of the 2026 Presidents Cup, a role he accepted in August after an invitation from PGA Tour Commissioner Brian Rolapp. He also held the role in 2017.
Where is the 2026 Presidents Cup being played?
At Medinah Country Club (Course No. 3) in Medinah, Illinois, about 25 miles west of downtown Chicago. The tournament runs September 24-27, 2026.
What is the Presidents Cup 2026 score heading into Sunday?
The International team leads the United States 10.5-7.5 entering Sunday’s 12 singles matches, according to USA Today. The first team to 15.5 points wins the Cup.
SOURCES
- Reuters — “Trump’s diplomatic blitz may offer little election relief” (Sept 25 schedule note) — https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trumps-diplomatic-blitz-may-offer-little-election-relief-2026-09-25/
- USA Today — “Donald Trump to attend Presidents Cup final round on Sunday” — https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2026/09/26/donald-trump-attend-2026-presidents-cup-final-round/91965640007/
- TMSPN — “Donald Trump Set for Chicago Trip to Attend Presidents Cup Finale at Medinah” — https://tmspn.com/donald-trump-set-for-chicago-trip-to-attend-presidents-cup-finale-at-medinah/
- The Score (AP) — “Texas survives late Tennessee rally to secure SEC opening” — https://www.thescore.com/ncaaf/news/3609316/texas-survives-late-tennessee-rally-to-secure-sec-opening-win
