Korea's Rise from Outsider to Core Strength in the Presidents Cup

Three Koreans Make Up Largest International Team Contingent
PGA Tour Standouts Kim Siwoo, Kim Juhyung, and Im Sungjae in the Spotlight
Ogilvy: "They Are Irreplaceable for Our Team"

Korea has historically played a minor role in the Presidents Cup, the prestigious golf showdown pitting the world’s strongest Team USA against the International Team. In earlier years, even the appearance of “The Tank” K.J. Choi on the player roster was enough to draw headlines.

However, Korea’s position has now shifted from the periphery to the core. The “Korean Trio” competing on the PGA Tour—Kim Siwoo, Kim Juhyung, and Im Sungjae—are now at the heart of the International Team’s strength.

The Presidents Cup, a team event featuring head-to-head matches between Team USA and the International Team, began in 1994, initiated by the PGA Tour. It was established to provide the world’s top players from outside Europe—who cannot participate in the Ryder Cup—with a premier international team competition. It is held biennially. Korea was the host nation for the 12th edition of the tournament in 2015. Historically, the International Team has struggled, posting just one win, 13 losses, and one tie against Team USA.

Kim Siwoo, Kim Juhyung, and Im Sungjae (from left) participating in this year's Presidents Cup are key players of the International Team. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

The competition consists of 9 foursome matches (where teammates take alternate shots with one ball), 9 four-ball matches (where each player uses their own ball and the better score counts for the team), and 12 singles matchplay events. A win in a match earns one point, a tie 0.5 points, and a loss 0 points. The first team to reach 15.5 points claims the Presidents Cup trophy.

Korea is now a cornerstone of the International Team. Kim Siwoo, Kim Juhyung, and Im Sungjae have accumulated extensive experience through repeated appearances. Both Kim Siwoo and Im Sungjae have competed three times in the Presidents Cup. The 24-year-old rising star Kim Juhyung, who claimed this year’s only Korean PGA Tour victory at the Genesis Scottish Open, is set for his second Presidents Cup appearance.

Kim Siwoo has recorded 6 wins and 5 losses in Presidents Cup matches, Im Sungjae stands at 6 wins, 7 losses, and 2 ties, while Kim Juhyung boasts 3 wins, 5 losses, and 1 tie. Jeff Ogilvy, the International Team captain from Australia, described them as “irreplaceable players for our team.”

This is the Presidents Cup winning trophy. Photo by AFP News Agency

The 2026 Presidents Cup kicks off on September 25 (Korean time) at Course No. 3 (par 70, 7,548 yards) of Medinah Country Club in Illinois, USA. Over four days, Team USA and the International Team will battle for national pride. International Team reinforcements include Japanese star Matsuyama Hideki, veteran Adam Scott from Australia, and this year’s Open Championship winner Ryan Fox from New Zealand.

Leading Team USA is current world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Other top contenders include Wyndham Clark, who posted three PGA Tour wins this season (including the US Open); Collin Morikawa, who has a 6–2 record in Presidents Cup play; and Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and Patrick Cantlay, each with 10 wins over three appearances. The team also boasts Sam Burns and several other elite players.

◆ 2026 Presidents Cup Rosters

International Team (Captain Jeff Ogilvy)= Kim Siwoo, Kim Juhyung, Im Sungjae (all Korea); Matsuyama Hideki, Hisatsune Ryo (both Japan); Adam Scott, Minwoo Lee (both Australia); Corey Conners, Nick Taylor (both Canada); Ryan Fox (New Zealand); Christiaan Bezuidenhout (South Africa); Nico Echavarria (Colombia)

Team USA (Captain Brent Snedeker)= Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Cameron Young, Sam Burns, Russell Henley, Collin Morikawa, Chris Gotterup, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, Jackson Koivun, Patrick Cantlay, Jacob Bridgeman

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.