The 15th edition of the Presidents Cup is set to unfold this week at the Royal Montreal Golf Club, where the United States aims to extend its stronghold over the International team in Canada. With an impressive overall record of 12 wins, 1 loss, and 1 tie, including a winning streak of nine matches, the U.S. team is eager to maintain its success in the Great White North.
Despite the American team’s motivation and top players like world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and world No. 2 Xander Schauffele, competing away from home has proven increasingly challenging. The U.S. had a close call in Korea and faced a similar scenario at the 2019 Presidents Cup in Royal Melbourne, where they trailed before orchestrating a remarkable comeback on the final day.
The U.S. team not only boasts the top two players in the world but also includes major champions such as Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Keegan Bradley, and Brian Harman. They are accompanied by Presidents Cup newcomers Russell Henley and Sahith Theegala.
On the other hand, the International team carries its own strength with veterans like Adam Scott, participating in his 11th consecutive Presidents Cup, as he hopes to secure his first victory. He is supported by notable teammates including Hideki Matsuyama, who had a standout 2024 season, as well as Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim, both of whom possess winning records from previous competitions.
The home team features promising players like Tom Kim, Min Woo Lee, and Jason Day. The spotlight also falls on three Canadian players chosen by captain Mike Weir: Taylor Pendrith and Corey Conners, looking to redeem themselves after a disappointing debut at Quail Hollow in 2022, along with rookie Mackenzie Hughes, who is excited to play in his home country.
Fans can stay updated on the event through the 2024 Presidents Cup TV schedule and coverage guide. The format, rules, and scoring process of the tournament are detailed below.
The 2024 Presidents Cup follows a distinct structure compared to the Ryder Cup. It kicks off with a single session on Thursday and another on Friday, leading into an intense Saturday with two sessions, culminating in singles matches on Sunday. The first day features four-ball play, where two-man teams play their own balls, while Friday shifts to foursome matches where players alternate hitting the same ball. Saturday is packed with both four-ball and foursome sessions, setting the stage for 12 singles matches on Sunday.
In terms of scoring, each match awards 1 point, and ties result in 0.5 points for each side. The first team to accumulate 15.5 points claims the Presidents Cup. If matches conclude in a 15-15 tie, the Cup will be shared. Each hole is scored independently, and teams can conclude matches early if they secure an insurmountable lead.
Automatic qualifiers for the U.S. team include Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Wyndham Clark, Patrick Cantlay, and others, while the Internationals include Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott among their top players. Captain’s picks feature both sides with additional strong competitors.
The complete schedule for the 2024 Presidents Cup is as follows, with all times noted in Eastern:
Thursday, Sept. 26: Round 1 (four-ball) starts at 11:35 a.m. with coverage from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Golf Channel.
Friday, Sept. 27: Round 2 (foursomes) at 1:05 p.m., with coverage running from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Golf Channel.
Saturday, Sept. 28: Round 3 (four-ball) begins at 7:02 a.m., followed by Round 4 (foursomes) at 6:25 a.m. Coverage is available from 7 a.m. on Golf Channel and NBC.
Sunday, Sept. 29: Round 5 (singles) starts at 12:02 p.m., with live coverage from noon to 6 p.m. on NBC.