Donald Trump has accepted an invitation from PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp to become Honorary Chairman for the 2026 Presidents Cup.
The biennial golf event returns to the United States in September as Medinah Country Club in Chicago hosts Team USA against an International team excluding Europe.
The head of state of the host country has traditionally taken on the role, with Trump doing so in 2017 when the United States won 19-11 at Liberty National in New Jersey. He presented the victorious USA team with the trophy.
Some of his fiercest political rivals have also held the position, including Barack Obama in 2009 and 2013, Joe Biden after Trump in 2022 then Justin Trudeau in the last installment in 2024, won by Team USA in Canada.
Trump is predicting a ‘particularly exciting event’, with the United States being led by Brandt Snedeker and looking to move on from last year’s Ryder Cup heartache against Team Europe.
Trump wrote on Truth Social: ‘At the request of the PGA Tour, and its Great new Commissioner, Brian Rolapp, it is my Honor to accept being the Honorary Chairman of the upcoming Presidents Cup, which will take place at the Medinah Country Club in Chicago.
Donald Trump will be Honorary Chairman at the Presidents Cup, as he was back in 2017
Justin Trudeau held the role at the last Presidents Cup in Canada, won by the United States
‘This will be a particularly exciting event. Both teams are ‘loaded’ with Talent. I look forward to being there, and greeting all of these fantastic athletes, on both teams! Thank you for your attention to this matter. See you in Chicago! President DONALD J. TRUMP’.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said: ‘We are grateful to President Trump for accepting our invitation to serve as Honorary Chairman for the 2026 Presidents Cup.
‘The Presidents Cup has a proud tradition of engaging world leaders from across the globe and across political lines, and President Trump’s involvement continues that legacy.
‘His participation will help elevate the event on the international stage while furthering our mission of bringing people together through the game of golf.’
But despite excitement over Trump taking on the role, golf fans were quick to express fears he could ‘curse’ the United States team.
They had a nightmare day at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black last year when he attended, ultimately being unable to claw their way back during a dramatic final day with the damage already done with Trump watching on.
And the President has a questionable record attending sporting events, with theories raging there is a ‘Trump curse’ after numerous teams he has gone to support losing in front of him.
The New York Knicks dropped their only game of the NBA Finals when he was at Madison Square Garden, while he saw the Washington Commanders blown out by the Detroit Lions last NFL season when he went to watch them.
Barack Obama, George Bush and Bill Clinton joined Trump at the 2017 Presidents Cup
Trump watched Team USA lose at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black last year
Golf fans fear Trump’s attendance could spell bad news for USA’s chances in Chicago
Reacting to news of his Presidents Cup role, one USA fan wrote: ‘First US loss incoming, you saw what happened at Bethpage’, as another predicted: ‘for the first time in decades, the USA will lose. everything he touches dies.’
Others claimed it will now be a ‘guaranteed USA loss’ and said: ‘Worked so well at the Ryder Cup’.
Another decided: ‘So international team has really go chance at winning now’ and others added: ‘International team in a romp.’
The Presidents Cup will be held from September 24-27.
