Trump Delivers Brief Pep Talk As US Team Face Presidents Cup Fightback
US President Donald Trump appeared on the first tee at Medinah Country Club ahead of a decisive singles session with the US Team trailing 10.5-7.5.
Donald Trump arrived at Medinah Country Club on the final day of the 2026 Presidents Cup, addressing fans on the first tee before a singles session the US Team must dominate to keep its winning run alive, according to Golf Monthly.
The visit came after a Saturday spent watching college football, with the President taking in Texas against Tennessee in the SEC before travelling on to Chicago for the golf.
Team International went into Sunday holding a 10.5-7.5 lead, built on a whitewash on Friday and further points wrestled from the US Team on Saturday, Golf Monthly reports.
Geoff Ogilvy's side are chasing only their second victory in the competition's 32-year history and their first ever away from home soil, having sent Ryo Hisatsune out first, with Tom Kim - not expected to be needed in the closing matches - following him.
The US Team countered with a strong top of the order, fielding Cameron Young, Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas in the first three places before Scottie Scheffler was paired against Nico Echavarria in match four.
Trump, who had been made honorary chairman of the Presidents Cup during the build-up, was introduced on the tee by PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp.
Reports had suggested organisers were braced for a 15-minute address, but the President spoke for roughly a minute before matches began.
The reception was largely warm, with cheers outweighing scattered boos, and chants of "USA! USA! USA!" breaking out around the tee.
Trump used part of his short remarks to take aim at what he termed "the fake news media" over predictions of how he would be received, before saying he lacked "the courage" to give the longer speech Rolapp had wanted.
He told the crowd "these people want to see golf, they don't want to hear speeches!" before adding that the country was "doing great, better than ever before" and that he was looking forward to "a very interesting day of golf."
The US Team will need a significant turnaround across the singles matches to deny Team International a first win on American soil, with the destination of the trophy resting on Sunday's play at Medinah.