Team USA golfers welcome Trump’s expected Presidents Cup visit, share pride in representing America
Wyndham Clark is preparing to represent the United States at the 2026 Presidents Cup, with President Donald Trump expected to watch Sunday’s final round in person.
"Being an American, having the President of the United States come and watch you play golf is something, as a kid, you don’t ever imagine or fathom happening," Clark told OutKick on Wednesday. "I just think it’s pretty amazing."
The PGA Tour, which organizes the Presidents Cup, invited Trump to serve as honorary chairman, and he accepted. Sources familiar with the president’s plans told OutKick that Trump is expected to attend Sunday’s final round at Medinah Country Club.
Like the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup is a team match-play competition. It pits 12 U.S. golfers against 12 players from countries outside the U.S. and Europe, while the Ryder Cup matches the Americans against Europe.
CANADIANS NICK TAYLOR AND COREY CONNERS LAUGH OFF LAKE ONTARIO RENAMING AHEAD OF PRESIDENTS CUP
The competition begins Thursday and runs through Sunday. OutKick spoke with several U.S. players Tuesday and Wednesday about representing their country and Trump’s expected visit.
For Sam Burns, the conversation also provided an opportunity to talk about something he would like to see more of at home: Americans pulling for each other.
"Being an American, I think it’s very important that we do support our president, regardless of your political views," Burns said. "I think if you look at our country now, it seems more divided than ever, and hopefully we can get back to the point where all Americans come together, and we’re all trying to kind of reach the same goal."
Burns said he has played golf with Trump a few times, but emphasized that his respect for the presidency extends beyond whoever happens to hold the job.
"Anyone who’s the president of this country, I respect that position, obviously," he said.
Chris Gotterup had a similar reaction when asked about the visit.
"Whoever the president is, if they care enough to come watch us play golf, that’s pretty cool," Gotterup said. "I know we’re excited, and we’re going to go try to put on a good performance for everyone."
For Clark, there is already a memorable Trump interaction to look back on.
After winning the 2023 U.S. Open, Clark received a congratulatory call from Trump, who was out of office at the time. Clark described it Wednesday as "one of the coolest calls of my life." His first major victory came at Los Angeles Country Club, where he beat Rory McIlroy by one shot.
Apparently, Trump had been paying close attention.
"He was so complimentary, just saying how good I played. And honestly, it was amazing. He knew every shot," Clark said. "He was like, ‘This up-and-down on this hole, this up-and-down on this hole was amazing.’ And he really said a bunch of nice things."
THE CRAIG CARTON SHOW–UNFILTERED, UNAPOLOGETIC AND UNMISSABLE. DOWNLOAD HIS DAILY PODCAST NOW!
Patrick Cantlay’s first meeting with Trump goes back even further. He said they met at the 2011 Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen and have crossed paths several times since.
This week, Cantlay hopes the president’s appearance gives the home crowd something else to get excited about.
"I think it’d be great to have the president out, and hopefully it gets the crowd going," Cantlay said. "I’m expecting the crowd to be loud and behind us this week, and that’s what makes playing home team events so fun."
Xander Schauffele found a slightly different angle.
"I’m sure Secret Service wasn’t pumped that he made an early announcement on where he’s going to be, but they’ll do a nice job to keep him safe," Schauffele joked. "It’s awesome that our president loves golf and supports USA."
For Jacob Bridgeman, representing the United States at this level is something he has wanted for a long time.
"This is the highest honor that you can get in all of golf," Bridgeman said. "Playing for the United States is the best thing that any of us can ever ask for, and it’s an honor."
Bridgeman said he hoped to see multiple presidents attend and described the prospect of having them rooting for the Americans as making the experience feel "even more patriotic."
Jackson Koivun, meanwhile, welcomed the chance to have teammates again.
"I just love playing for Team USA," he said. "It’s always fun when you’re able to put on the red, white and blue and play on a team with guys who are fighting for the same cause."
Love of country is even strong enough to get an Alabama guy and an Auburn guy working together. For a few days, anyway.
Justin Thomas, who played college golf at Alabama, offered his practice rounds with former Auburn star Koivun as an example when OutKick asked about sports bringing people together.
"I’ve been playing a lot of practice rounds with an Auburn kid this week," Thomas said.
"I love him to death, but I hope he has a terrible Saturday," Thomas joked, clarifying that he meant the Saturday after Thanksgiving when Auburn and Alabama face each other in the 2026 Iron Bowl.
For now, though, they’re wearing the same colors.
"We have everybody here pulling for the USA," Thomas said.
Schauffele made a similar point about the opportunity international competition gives Americans to cheer together.
"If players and people can kind of gather under one flag in a sport, it is pretty awesome," he said. "Luckily, we’re able to do that in golf."
Burns said representing his country, his teammates, the captains and their families is something he doesn’t take lightly. These weeks can fly by during a career, he said, and he expects to appreciate them even more when he looks back.
Right now, there is a tournament to win.
"All of us guys that are on this squad, there’s nothing more we want to do than to go out and win and represent our country well," Burns said. "And that’s the plan this week."
