Image Credit: PGA Tour
The Presidents Cup and AJGA confirmed that Matt Kuchar will captain the U.S. Team and C.T. Pan will lead the International Team at the 2026 Junior Presidents Cup. The event will be played September 20–21 on a special routing combining Medinah Country Club’s Courses No. 1 and No. 2. The Presidents Cup begins two days later on Course No. 3.
Event Overview
The Junior Presidents Cup is a two-day match-play competition featuring 24 top junior boys aged 19 and under, with 12 players from the United States and 12 from international countries outside Europe. Created to highlight global junior talent, the event provides rising players a chance to compete in a high-level team setting shortly before the Presidents Cup.
Format and Competition
Teams will compete in Four-ball and Foursomes matches on September 20, followed by 12 Singles matches on September 21. Organizers emphasized the event’s growing importance in Presidents Cup week and highlighted Medinah’s Courses No. 1 and No. 2 as fitting hosts for future stars.
Leadership Profiles: Matt Kuchar
Kuchar brings extensive team-event experience as a nine-time PGA TOUR winner and veteran of five Presidents Cups and four Ryder Cups. He also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics. As a former AJGA standout and Rolex Junior All-American, he now sees his son Cameron following the same path.
Kuchar said he is honored to lead the U.S. juniors and looks forward to helping them experience team golf at an historic venue.
Leadership Profiles: C.T. Pan
Pan will captain the International Team, backed by strong global credentials, including three Olympic appearances and a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020. He excelled in the 2019 Presidents Cup and secured his first PGA TOUR win at the 2019 RBC Heritage. Pan also maintains a deep connection to junior golf through AJGA-hosted events.
Pan expressed pride in leading the International Team and highlighted the event’s importance as a player’s first experience on a global stage.
Medinah’s Historic Setting
Medinah’s Course No. 1, originally designed in 1925, has hosted several major tournaments and was redesigned in 2014. Course No. 2, built in 1927 and restored in 2017, emphasizes playability while preserving its classic layout. Both courses provide an ideal stage for junior competition.
Medinah officials noted that this will be the first U.S. Junior Presidents Cup held on the same property as the Presidents Cup.
Recent Results and Player Pathways
The U.S. Team defeated the International Team 15–9 in 2024. Since the Junior Presidents Cup launched in 2017, nine past participants will hold PGA TOUR exempt status in 2026, showcasing the event’s role in developing future stars.
Eligibility Criteria
U.S. Team
- Top 10 players from the Rolex AJGA Rankings selected on August 6, 2026
- One captain’s pick
- Final spot awarded based on AJGA Rankings on September 10, 2026
- Players must be U.S. citizens, AJGA members, amateurs, and under 19
International Team
- Top 10 players based on World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) on June 4, 2026
- One captain’s pick
- Final spot awarded using WAGR on July 30, 2026
- Players must be citizens of eligible Presidents Cup countries (excluding European nations)
Both teams require competitors to be amateurs, aged 12–18, and not enrolled in a collegiate program.
