Presidents Cup 2026: Dave Tindall's picks for Medinah up to 9/1

Introduction to the Presidents Cup 

While the Ryder Cup continues to provide evidence that elite American pro golfers aren't cut out for this team thing malarkey, the Presidents Cup suggests otherwise.

We've had 15 of these biennial matches and the hugely lopsided scoreline shows 13 wins for the USA, one for the Internationals and one tie.

If just looking at results on American soil it's 8-0 to the USA.

This year, the tournament heads to Medinah in Illinois for the first time.

The course measures over 7,500 yards and has undergone a significant redesign in recent times, with Internationals skipper Geoff Ogilvy playing a big role in the transformation.

There is one matchplay golf pointer for the International team to cling on to - Medinah, of course, was the scene of Europe's incredible comeback in the 2012 Ryder Cup.

Presidents Cup Bet 1 - USA (-1) on Day 1 Handicap @ 7/52.40

The betting reflects the USA's historical dominance plus the fact that, on world rankings, they're streets ahead.

The USA are 1/71.14 to win again, with the Internationals 5/16.00 and The Tie 16/117.00.

There are various Outright Handicap markets available and USA -4 trades at 8/111.73 with International +4 available at 5/42.25. The Tie -4 is 9/110.00

Just using results from the last four contests on USA soil, the Americans would have covered that -4 handicap in three of them. Note that for the 2013 and 2009 editions, they used the old format in which 34 points were available. Now it's just 30.

2022 (Quail Hollow) - USA 17.5-12.5 International Team
2017 (Liberty National) - USA 19-11 International Team
2013 (Muirfield Village) - USA 18.5-15.5 International Team
2009 (Harding Park) - USA 19.5-14.5 International Team

With Ogilvy involved in the redesign, I have a sneaky feeling the Internationals may just be a little better than some expect although it's hard to get too excited about their chances.

My first bet features the Day 1 Handicap where, under US skipper Brandt Snedeker's instruction, the format will be fourballs.

The USA won this opening session (the only one on Thursday) 5-0 at Royal Montreal last time and 4-1 at Quail Hollow in 2022 when it was held as session two on Friday.

That makes sense. They have the better players and with each playing his own ball, that dominance will tend to shine through.

So the 7/52.40 for USA -1 definitely appeals. It would land with scorelines of 5-0, 4.5-0.5, 4-1 or 3.5-1.5.

Presidents Cup Bet 2 - Xander Schauffele to be Top US Points Scorer @ 8/19.00

Here's how it's worked out in past Presidents Cups. Number of matches each played in brackets.

2024 - 4pts Patrick Cantlay (5), Collin Morikawa (5), Xander Schauffele (5)
2022 - 4pts Justin Thomas (5), Max Homa (4)
2019 - 3.5pts Justin Thomas (5)
2017 - 4.5pts Dustin Johnson (5)

Six of the seven played the maximum five matches so that's obviously a key factor.

The Xander Schauffele-Patrick Cantlay partnership is surely one Snedeker will lean on.

They have identical Presidents Cup records (10-4-0) but Schauffele has better numbers in the Ryder Cup after finishing joint-top scorer alongside Cam Young at Bethpage last year.

True, by his own lofty standards, the Californian didn't have the greatest season ever but he'll be hungry and the team format is one he absolutely relishes.

Scottie Scheffler's record in team play isn't strong enough to warrant a punt at 3/14.00 so the door is open a little.

Schauffele is the each-way pick (1/5, 3 Places) at 8/19.00.

Presidents Cup Bet 3 - Ryan Fox to be Top International Points Scorer @ 9/110.00

Here's how it's worked out in past Presidents Cups. Number of matches each played in brackets.

2024 - 2pts Christiaan Bezuidenhout (3), Corey Conners (5), Si Woo Kim (4), Hideki Matsuyama (5), Taylor Pendrith (5), Adam Scott (5)
2022 - 3pts Si Woo Kim (4)
2019 - 3.5pts Sungjae Im (5), Abraham Ancer (5)
2017 - 2.5pts Louis Oosthuizen (5)

Clearly, the points tallies are lower than the Americans' which, in theory, suggests an outsider could win this market.

However, seven of the above 10 played the maximum five matches so it's still important to pick those who will have most opportunities to put points on the board.

My pick here is Open champion Ryan Fox.

I was in the press room at Wentworth when he spoke enthusiastically about this week's event, saying: "My first goal of the year was to make that team."

Fox mentioned that he'd spoken to Shane Lowry about how best to create the team dynamic that can take down the Americans and he's absolutely on board with Geoff Ogilvy's captaincy style.

Amazingly, it's Fox's debut in the event but we've seen first-timers flourish and top score in both this tournament and Ryder Cups.

The lengthy Medinah should suit and a possible pairing with Adam Scott suggests Fox has a decent chance of being used to the max.

He certainly showed some good signs at Wentworth when leading on the final day before finishing sixth.

"It feels like you're playing with your mates, and it's a lot of fun," said Fox after Tuesday's practice round at Medinah.

He's the International each-way pick (1/5, 3 Places) at 9/110.00.

Now read Andy Swales' form stats for both sides

*You can follow me on Twitter @DaveTindallgolf