Brandt Snedeker has been having a good last few days. The American golfer, along with the unshakeable Keegan Bradley, is currently slated to be part of Team USA as the Ryder Cup assistant. To top the bliss, you may ask? He was recently announced as the official captain of Team USA for the 2026 Presidents Cup by Jay Monahan.
“I got the call a couple weeks ago. Trying to wrap my head around what this is going to look like and then what this is going to entail. Just super honored, super humbled to be leading this team and be part of this great history of the Presidents Cup and the captain that came before me,” Snedeker stated to the reporters on a conference call after the announcement.
What is asked of the 44-year-old is pretty simple: To lead Team USA to victory yet again in the Presidents Cup and maintain their run of 11 consecutive victories. The 2026 Presidents Cup is being hosted at the Medinah Country Club in Illinois, United States, where the International Team will look to clinch only their second-ever title with Geoff Ogilvy as their captain.
Chosen to lead. Captain Snedeker. pic.twitter.com/hwVUTjqEyU
— Presidents Cup (@PresidentsCup) April 29, 2025
Snedeker is experienced, having been an assistant during the Presidents Cup victory last year at the Royal Montreal Golf Club under Jim Furyk’s captaincy. His participation in the upcoming Ryder Cup at the Bethpage Course in New York is likely to boost his confidence. He also has the vote of confidence from one player who could feature in both squads. The World No.1 Scottie Scheffler.
The two-time Major winner was part of the playing squad in the 2024 Presidents Cup, eventually ending up as winners with a score of 18.5-11.5. Scheffler was asked about Snedeker’s appointment before his participation in the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. “I think it’s good. Brandt, he was an assistant for the Presidents Cup last year. He’s a good guy. He’ll be a great leader. He’s a lot of fun for us to have in the team room. So I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s like as a captain.” Scheffler stated, recalling their victorious time together in Montreal just a year before.
Snedeker comes with a load of playing experience as well, having won the Ryder Cup in 2016 and the Presidents Cup in 2013 as a player. So he knows what is needed to win and the mental profile necessary to commit to victory at a similar stage. That experience will prove invaluable, especially when deciding match-ups during the tournament. “We’ll probably have to see a bit more of his serious side for sure, but Brandt’s a great guy, and I think he’ll do a great job.” Scheffler further added.
Even PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan had high praise for the nine-time PGA Tour winner. “Brandt is a proven leader on and off the golf course,” he stated firmly. Snedeker will be heavily scrutinized ahead of the event, with the majority of the pressure of victory falling on his shoulders, especially considering the fact that Team USA has a stellar record at the Presidents Cup.
Team USA’s record at the Presidents Cup
Since the creation of the Presidents Cup in 1994, 15 editions have taken place, of which the International Team has won once. That happened in 1998, under the captaincy of Australian golfer Peter Thomson. In the 2003 edition in South Africa, Team USA and the International Team tied for the title, with each team notching 17 points. In the remaining 13 editions, Team USA has won.
It is this streak that Snedeker is expected to maintain in the upcoming date set at Medinah, Illinois. The closest the International Team came in recent years was in 2019. Tiger Woods was the Team USA captain then and also took part as a player. South African Ernie Els was the captain for the other side. After Matt Kuchar and Rickie Fowler tied their respective singles matchup, Team USA claimed victory with a score of 16-14.
In the 2015 edition, the scores were tied at 14.5 each, with the last match-up to be played. It was between playing captain Jay Haas for Team USA and Bae Sang-moon for the International Team. Haas displayed nerves of steel and led his team to victory, with a final score of 15.5 – 14.5.
The long-standing tradition of victories will definitely put a chip on the shoulder of Snedeker. Do you think the United States can win for a continuous 11th time at the 2026 edition under Snedeker’s stewardship?
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