President Donald Trump wants the microphone on Sunday at Medinah. Golfweek reported Saturday, citing multiple sources, that Trump requested to speak at the first tee for 15 minutes before the start of play.
The Tour has not confirmed the request. A Tour spokesperson told Golf Digest that the Tour could only confirm it is preparing for a possible visit by Trump, and Golfweek said the White House didn’t answer a request for confirmation before publication. Trump is scheduled to attend Sunday at Medinah Country Club after spending Saturday at the SEC game between No. 1 Texas and No. 14 Tennessee in Knoxville.
RELATED: Trump Pardons PGA Tour Pro Harris English’s Caddie Over Drug Conviction
Trump is serving as honorary chairman for the second time, having first held the role in 2017 at Liberty National in New Jersey during his first term. He announced on Truth Social in August that he had accepted the PGA Tour’s invitation again. Barack Obama is the only other president to serve twice, in 2009 and 2013, while Gerald Ford, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Joe Biden have also held the role since 1994. When Trump’s return was announced, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said the event has a “proud tradition of engaging world leaders from across the globe and across political lines.”
In 2017, Trump attended Sunday singles and took part in the trophy presentation after the Americans beat the International Team 19-11. “Our team USA, wow, did you play well,” Trump said during that ceremony, before dedicating the trophy to people affected by hurricanes in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico.
Last fall, Trump attended the first day of the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black but did not speak publicly. He arrived with granddaughter Kai Trump, led the crowd in USA chants and watched from behind heavy glass.
RELATED: 2026 Presidents Cup: Thursday Four-Ball Matches, Tee Times and TV Schedule
U.S. players have welcomed the visit. Two-time U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark said having the president come watch you play is something you never imagine as a kid. “I just think it’s pretty amazing,” Clark said, adding that Trump is the commander in chief and Sunday will be really exciting.
Xander Schauffele grinned when asked what it means to play in front of the president. “I’m sure Secret Service wasn’t pumped that he made an early announcement,” Schauffele joked, adding that security would keep the president safe and that it’s great he loves golf and supports the U.S.
Patrick Cantlay is counting on the visit to fire up the gallery. “I think it would be great to have the President out,” Cantlay said, adding that he expects the crowd to be loud and behind the Americans all week.
Sam Burns said he has spent time with Trump and played golf with him a few times. He said he respects the office regardless of who holds it and that it’s “very important that we do support our president, regardless of your political views.” Burns added that the country seems more divided than ever and he hopes Americans can come together.
Chris Gotterup said it’s pretty cool when the president, whoever it is, cares enough to come watch the team play. Jackson Koivun pointed to Trump’s support of golf and said it’s cool to see the president show up for an event like the Presidents Cup.
Trump will arrive with the Americans in a hole. The International Team takes a 10.5-7.5 lead into Sunday Singles, the first time the Internationals have led going into the final day on U.S. soil. They need five of the 12 singles matches, while the U.S. needs eight. The Americans have won the past 10 Presidents Cups and entered the week 13-1-1 all time, with the International Team’s only outright win coming in 1998.
