A 30 year history of the Presidents Cup

The Presidents Cup was first competed for in 1994.

We look back at the 14 Presidents Cups, their defining moments, and see which players hold the competition records.

While the 1927-established Ryder Cup remains the fiercest rivalry in men’s professional golf, there is no doubting the competitiveness that a Presidents Cup tie draws out of the game’s top players when the American and International sides meet for the biennial bout.

Created and organized by the PGA Tour, the Presidents Cup sees 12 player teams compete over a 30-match contest for the trophy – named as such due to the host nation’s head of state/government assuming an Honorary Chairperson role.

Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Julia Gillard, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden have all previously accepted the invitation, and 2024 will see Canadian PM Justin Trudeau take on the gig as the Presidents Cup heads back to the Royal Montreal Club in Quebec for the second time in its 30 year history.

The contest marks the 15th edition of the competition, dominated by the American team since its inception in 1994 with a 12-1-1 record. Mike Weir leads the International team in his homeland where the men in black will start as heavy underdogs against Jim Furyk’s team of superstars including Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Collin Morikawa.

There is no prize money awarded at the Presidents Cup with net proceeds instead going to player-nominated charities. Therefore, it’s pure pride and bragging rights that are on the line when the sides face off in the race to 15.5 points. Here’s how the competition’s history has unfolded to date…

Presidents Cup: History

2022: Quail Hollow, USA | United States def Internationals 17.5 – 12.5

The 2022 Presidents Cup, held at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the U.S. team led by Davis Love II extend its winning streak to nine contests, improving their record to 12-1-1. The event attracted the largest crowd in Presidents Cup history, as the US remained undefeated on home soil. Despite a valiant comeback effort on Sunday, the American’s 8-2 lead after the first two days proved too much to overcome for Trevor Immelman’s side as they succumbed to a 17.5 – 12.5 defeat.

2019: Royal Melbourne, AUS | United States def Internationals 16 – 14

Hailed as one of the best in Presidents Cup history, the 2019 edition saw the US team under the leadership of playing captain Tiger Woods stage a dramatic comeback on Sunday to snatch victory from the International team. Woods contributed key victories in both the fourball and singles sessions. Down by two points after three days of play, the US took six of the singles matches and drew four to seal a two-point victory of their own from Ernie Els’s side in Melbourne

2017: Liberty National, USA | United States def Internationals 19 – 11

In 2017, Steve Stricker captained the US side to an emphatic 19 -11 victory at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey. The U.S. team built a massive lead heading into the final day, making Sunday’s singles matches a formality. For the first time in the event’s history, three former U.S. presidents (Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama) attended, along with then-President Donald Trump who presented the trophy. It was also the third straight edition that Zimbabwe’s Nick Price captained the International side.

2015: Jack Nicklaus GC, KOR | United States def Internationals 15.5 – 14.5

The 11th Presidents Cup was the first edition played in Asia and was one of the closest in the competition’s history. Jay Haas captained the US side to a 15.5 – 14.5 win at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club in Incheon, where South Korean President Park Geun-Hye served as honorary chairwoman. The match came down to the final hole, where Bill Haas, son of the American captain, secured the winning point.

2013: Muirfield Village, USA | United States def Internationals 18.5 – 15.5

The 2013 Presidents Cup took place at Muirfield Village in Ohio, with the US edging an 18.5 – 15.5 victory under captain Fred Couples. In hosting the event, Muirfield became the first course in the world to host the Presidents Cup, Ryder Cup, and Solheim Cup international team competitions. Tiger Woods once again played a crucial role, securing four points in the weather-delayed contest. Barack Obama returned as honorary chairman, becoming the only president to hold the role twice.

2011: Royal Melbourne, AUS | United States def Internationals 19 – 15

Returning to Royal Melbourne for a second time, the 2011 Presidents Cup saw Fred Couple’s American side retain the trophy with a 19 – 15 victory over the Greg Norman-led Internationals. The Americans built an early lead, holding off a late charge by the Internationals, with Jim Furyk achieving a perfect 5-0 record. Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard served as honorary chairwoman, marking her the first woman to time to hold the role.

2009: Harding Park, USA | United States def Internationals 19.5 – 14.5

Fred Couples took charge of the US side for the first of his three stints as captain in 2009 as the Americans ran out 19.5 – 14.5 winners at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. Despite a strong International lineup, Tiger Woods stole the show once again, posting a perfect 5-0 record in his matches. The competition remained close through the first few days, but the U.S. team pulled away in the singles matches, limiting the Internationals to five singles wins. Barack Obama, the 44th U.S. president, served as honorary chairman.

2007: Royal Montreal, CAN | United States def Internationals 19.5 – 14.5

In 2007, the Presidents Cup traveled to Montreal, Canada, where the U.S. team secured a 19.5-14.5 victory at Royal Montreal Golf Club. It was the third and final time that Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player faced off as captains, with Nicklaus coming out on top. The Americans inflicted all of the damage in the foresomes, winning 10.5 points to the Internationals’ 0.5 points. Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada, served as honorary chairman.

2005: Robert Trent Jones GC, USA | United States def Internationals 18.5 – 15.5

Returning to US soil at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, the 2005 Presidents Cup was tied at 11 points apiece heading into Sunday’s singles matches before the Americans pulled away to seal victory. Despite Retief Goosen’s 2&1 victory over Tiger Woods, the strength in depth of the US side shined through with Jack Nicklaus’s team comfortably winning the singles matchplay 7.5 – 4.5. George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, served as honorary chairman.

2003: Fancourt Hotel & CC, RSA | Match tied 17 – 17

The 2003 Presidents Cup, held at The Links at Fancourt in George, South Africa, remains one of the most memorable competitions due to its dramatic 17-17 finish. Captains Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus agreed to share the Cup after three sudden-death playoff holes between Ernie Els and Tiger Woods ended without a winner. The competition was fiercely competitive throughout, with neither team able to gain a decisive advantage. South African President Thabo Mbeki served as honorary chairman, and the match’s dramatic conclusion cemented its place in golf history.

2000: Robert Trent Jones GC, USA | United States def Internationals 21.5 – 10.5

The 2000 Presidents Cup saw the US team return to winning ways at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club with an emphatic 21.5 – 10.5 victory. Captained by Ken Venturi, the Americans overwhelmed the Internationals, led by Peter Thomson in his third and final appearance as captain. The US side got off to the best possible start with a 5-0 demolition in Thursday’s foursomes, and despite being pegged back on Friday in the fourballs, went on to dominate the rest of the tie with Stewart Cink and Davis Love III both registering 4-0 records.

1998: Royal Melbourne, AUS | Internationals def United States 20.5 – 11.5

The 1998 Presidents Cup was historic, as it marked the first and only Presidents Cup victory for the International team. Held at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia, Peter Thomson led the Internationals to a resounding 20.5-11.5 victory over Jack Nicklaus’ U.S. team. The Internationals dominated from the outset, with strong performances in both fourball and foursomes formats, setting up an unassailable lead going into the singles matches. Greg Norman, Ernie Els, and Vijay Singh played crucial roles in securing the win, as did Japanese player Shigeki Maruyama who won all five of his matches. Australian Prime Minister John Howard served as the honorary chairman.

1996: Robert Trent Jones GC, USA | United States def Internationals 16.5 – 15.5

A single point separated the sides at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club for the second-ever Presidents Cup. Captained by Arnold Palmer, the US narrowly defeated Peter Thomson’s International squad 16.5 – 15.5. with the match going down to the wire. With just a point in at going into the singles, the Americans won five of the opening seven singles matches before the International side won the next four, only for Fred Couples to drag the US over the line with a 2&1 victory over Vijay Singh in the final match. George H.W. Bush served as the honorary chairman.

1994: Robert Trent Jones GC, USA | United States def Internationals 20 – 12

The inaugural Presidents Cup was held at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Prince William County, Virginia. Captained by Hale Irwin, the US team dominated their International counterparts, led by David Graham, running out 20 – 12 winners. The Americans established an early lead which they never looked like relinquishing, confirming their dominance by winning eight of the 12 singles matches. Gerald Ford, the 38th US President, served as the honorary chairman with all proceeds going to charity, a tradition that continues to this day.

Presidents Cup: Records

Most team appearances: Phil Mickelson (USA), 12 (1994-2017)

Most points won: Phil Mickelson (USA), 32.5 (26 wins, 16 halves, 13 losses)

Most singles points won: Tiger Woods (USA), 7 (7 wins, 2 halves, 0 losses)

Most foursomes points won: Phil Mickelson (USA), 14 (12 wins, 6 halves, 4 losses)

Most fourball points won: Phil Mickelson (USA), 13 (10 wins, 5 halves, 6 losses)

Most points in a single tie: 5, USA – Mark O’Mera (1996), Tiger Woods (2009), Jim Furyk (2011), Jordan Spieth (2022) | INT – Shigeki Maruyama (1998), Branden Grace (2015).

Youngest player: Ryo Ishikawa (INT), 18 years, 21 days (2009)

Oldest player: Jay Haas (USA), 49 years, 353 days (2003)

About the author

Ross Tugwood – Senior Digital Writer

Ross Tugwood is a Senior Digital Writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.

Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.

He is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.