Ogilvy Returns to Familiar Territory as Captains Named for Medinah

Geoff Ogilvy and Brandt Snedeker were officially introduced Tuesday as the captains for the 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah, bringing unique perspectives to one of golf’s premier team competitions.

Ogilvy, the former U.S. Open champion from Australia, finds himself in an unusual position for an International captain – he’ll have intimate knowledge of the host venue. His design company, Australian-based OCM, led the recent renovation of Medinah’s No. 3 course, the historic Chicago-area layout that has hosted three U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships and a Ryder Cup.

“It’s a humbling thing. It’s a great honor,” Ogilvy said during a press conference in Chicago. “Medinah is a place where we’ve done a lot of work, my company, the last two, three years. It’s clearly an away game, but it’s exciting to be on a course that I’ve come to know really, really well the last few years.”

Snedeker’s Opportunity for Redemption

Snedeker, a nine-time PGA Tour winner and 2012 FedEx Cup champion, received his captain’s appointment just two weeks ago. Though he has played in only one Presidents Cup (2013), he served as an assistant captain to Jim Furyk at last year’s event at Royal Montreal.

For Snedeker, Medinah represents a chance for redemption. The course was the site of his first team competition at the 2012 Ryder Cup, where the Americans surrendered a 10-6 lead in a devastating Sunday collapse.

“It was one of probably the lowest points of my career. But I remember all the good stuff leading up to it – being part of my first team, being here in Chicago, how crazy the fans were, how awesome they were,” Snedeker recalled. “Something we’re going to try to recreate here is that team-like atmosphere we had there. Obviously, we want a different result.”

International Team’s Growing Momentum

The International team faces a daunting challenge, having won only once in the event’s history dating back to 1994. The Americans have claimed victory in the last 10 editions, though the margin has narrowed in recent competitions.

Ogilvy believes the International side has developed a stronger identity and purpose since Ernie Els introduced a new team shield and culture in 2019, when they narrowly lost at Royal Melbourne.

“When I first got involved in Presidents Cup… I think the hunger was there for the week and then it would dissipate quickly and then it would disappear for two years and then come back the week of the tournament,” said Ogilvy, who has played for captains Gary Player and Greg Norman while serving as an assistant to Nick Price, Els, Trevor Immelman and Mike Weir.

“There’s a burning determination that’s in the group,” he added. “Every trophy ceremony when we watch — the U.S. team has the trophy — it looks like a lot of fun. It’s equally as disappointing to be on the other side of things.”

As for his design experience providing any edge? Ogilvy downplayed its significance: “Look, I think it’s an advantage when we turn up on Monday. But by Thursday… the best skill I think that touring professionals have over most other golfers is they can learn a golf course really quickly.”

The 2026 Presidents Cup at Medinah will mark the competition’s return to the United States after this year’s event at Royal Montreal.