MEDINAH, Sick. – Wyndham Clark is making ready to symbolize america on the 2026 Presidents Cup, with President Donald Trump anticipated to look at Sunday’s closing spherical in individual.
“Being an American, having the President of america come and watch you play golf is one thing, as a child, you don’t ever think about or fathom occurring,” Clark instructed OutKick on Wednesday. “I simply assume it’s fairly superb.”
Wyndham Clark and Sam Burns look on throughout a apply spherical earlier than the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Nation Membership. (Getty Photographs)
The PGA Tour, which organizes the Presidents Cup, invited Trump to function honorary chairman, and he accepted. Sources conversant in the president’s plans instructed OutKick that Trump is predicted to attend Sunday’s closing spherical at Medinah Nation Membership.
Just like the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup is a staff match-play competitors. It pits 12 U.S. golfers in opposition to 12 gamers from international locations exterior the U.S. and Europe, whereas the Ryder Cup matches the People in opposition to Europe.
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The competitors begins Thursday and runs via Sunday. OutKick spoke with a number of U.S. gamers Tuesday and Wednesday about representing their nation and Trump’s anticipated go to.
For Sam Burns, the dialog additionally offered a chance to speak about one thing he wish to see extra of at dwelling: People pulling for one another.
“Being an American, I believe it’s crucial that we do help our president, no matter your political beliefs,” Burns stated. “I believe if you happen to have a look at our nation now, it appears extra divided than ever, and hopefully we are able to get again to the purpose the place all People come collectively, and we’re all making an attempt to sort of attain the identical aim.”
Sam Burns is making his fifth consecutive Group USA look throughout the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup. (Getty Photographs)
Burns stated he has performed golf with Trump a couple of instances, however emphasised that his respect for the presidency extends past whoever occurs to carry the job.
“Anybody who’s the president of this nation, I respect that place, clearly,” he stated.
Chris Gotterup had the same response when requested in regards to the go to.
“Whoever the president is, in the event that they care sufficient to return watch us play golf, that’s fairly cool,” Gotterup stated. “I do know we’re excited, and we’re going to go attempt to placed on a very good efficiency for everybody.”
Wyndham Clark recollects Trump’s 2023 US Open name
For Clark, there may be already a memorable Trump interplay to look again on.
After profitable the 2023 U.S. Open, Clark acquired a congratulatory name from Trump, who was out of workplace on the time. Clark described it Wednesday as “one of many coolest calls of my life.” His first main victory got here at Los Angeles Nation Membership, the place he beat Rory McIlroy by one shot.
Apparently, Trump had been paying shut consideration.
“He was so complimentary, simply saying how good I performed. And actually, it was superb. He knew each shot,” Clark stated. “He was like, ‘This up-and-down on this gap, this up-and-down on this gap was superb.’ And he actually stated a bunch of good issues.”
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President Donald Trump waves to the gang on the Irish Open at Trump Worldwide Golf Hyperlinks & Lodge. (PA Photographs by way of Getty Photographs)
Patrick Cantlay’s first assembly with Trump goes again even additional. He stated they met on the 2011 Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen and have crossed paths a number of instances since.
This week, Cantlay hopes the president’s look offers the house crowd one thing else to get enthusiastic about.
“I believe it’d be nice to have the president out, and hopefully it will get the gang going,” Cantlay stated. “I’m anticipating the gang to be loud and behind us this week, and that’s what makes taking part in dwelling staff occasions so enjoyable.”
Xander Schauffele discovered a barely completely different angle.
“I’m certain Secret Service wasn’t pumped that he made an early announcement on the place he’s going to be, however they’ll do a pleasant job to maintain him protected,” Schauffele joked. “It’s superior that our president loves golf and helps USA.”
Xander Schauffele speaks to reporters earlier than the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah Nation Membership. (Getty Photographs)
What representing Group USA means to the gamers
For Jacob Bridgeman, representing america at this degree is one thing he has wished for a very long time.
“That is the very best honor which you can get in all of golf,” Bridgeman stated. “Enjoying for america is the very best factor that any of us can ever ask for, and it’s an honor.”
Bridgeman stated he hoped to see a number of presidents attend and described the prospect of getting them rooting for the People as making the expertise really feel “much more patriotic.”
Jackson Koivun, in the meantime, welcomed the prospect to have teammates once more.
“I simply love taking part in for Group USA,” he stated. “It’s all the time enjoyable whenever you’re in a position to placed on the purple, white and blue and play on a staff with guys who’re preventing for a similar trigger.”
Love of nation is even robust sufficient to get an Alabama man and an Auburn man working collectively. For a couple of days, anyway.
Justin Thomas, who performed school golf at Alabama, provided his apply rounds with former Auburn star Koivun for example when OutKick requested about sports activities bringing individuals collectively.
“I’ve been taking part in a number of apply rounds with an Auburn child this week,” Thomas stated.
“I really like him to loss of life, however I hope he has a horrible Saturday,” Thomas joked, clarifying that he meant the Saturday after Thanksgiving when Auburn and Alabama face one another within the 2026 Iron Bowl.
For now, although, they’re carrying the identical colours.
“We’ve everyone right here pulling for the USA,” Thomas stated.
Justin Thomas high-fives USA teammate Jackson Koivun throughout a apply spherical earlier than the Presidents Cup at Medinah Nation Membership. (PGA TOUR)
Schauffele made the same level in regards to the alternative worldwide competitors offers People to cheer collectively.
“If gamers and folks can sort of collect below one flag in a sport, it’s fairly superior,” he stated. “Fortunately, we’re ready to try this in golf.”
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Burns stated representing his nation, his teammates, the captains and their households is one thing he doesn’t take frivolously. These weeks can fly by throughout a profession, he stated, and he expects to understand them much more when he appears again.
Proper now, there’s a match to win.
“All of us guys which are on this squad, there’s nothing extra we wish to do than to exit and win and symbolize our nation nicely,” Burns stated. “And that’s the plan this week.”
