Kim Si-woo (left) and Tom Kim, who partnered together at the Presidents Cup in Canada two years ago. [Photo=PGA Tour]
Kim Si-woo (left) and Tom Kim, who partnered together at the Presidents Cup in Canada two years ago. [Photo=PGA Tour]

The 2026 Presidents Cup tees off Thursday (local time) at Medinah Country Club in Chicago, Illinois, running for four days.

The all-time record between the International team and the United States stands at one win, one draw and 13 losses for the International side. Their only victory came 28 years ago at Royal Melbourne in Australia in 1998, and even the lone draw dates back to the 2003 edition in South Africa.

The United States has since reeled off 10 consecutive wins, establishing near-total dominance over the event. By any objective measure — world rankings, roster depth and home-course advantage — a US victory this week is the statistically natural expectation.

Yet variables exist that make a one-sided outcome far from certain. Scottie Scheffler, the unquestioned No. 1 pick on the US side, carries a notable weakness in match play, while the International team's two-man engine — Kim Si-woo and Tom Kim — brings explosive form capable of disrupting any opponent.

Scheffler has been peerless in stroke play, holding the world No. 1 ranking with authority. Switch to match play, however, and the numbers tell a different story. At the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow, he went winless, finishing with one draw and three losses.

The struggles continued at the 2023 Ryder Cup against Europe, where he again failed to record a win, going zero wins, two draws and two losses. A singles defeat at the 2024 Presidents Cup added to the pattern, revealing a clear gap between his individual brilliance and his ability to convert that into points in the team format.

Analysts point to inconsistent putting in short-format competition relative to his precise tee-to-green game, as well as the added pressure of coordinating with a partner, as his weak points. That the United States' most powerful weapon cannot impose absolute dominance in match play gives the International team a clear line of attack.

The two players best positioned to exploit that opening are South Korea's Kim Si-woo and Tom Kim. The International team has historically struggled with cohesion given its multinational makeup, but since the two joined the squad the team's identity has shifted toward a noticeably more aggressive style.

Kim Si-woo proved his match-play credentials at the 2022 Presidents Cup, leading the team with three wins against one loss. At the 2024 edition he again anchored the side, rattling opponents with bold short-game decisions and clutch putting.

Tom Kim adds a different kind of fuel. His relentless energy and uninhibited emotional expression can instantly transform the subdued atmosphere that often settles over team competitions.

When the two pair up in foursomes or four-ball, the combination generates real pressure even against US pairings stacked with major champions. Against opponents like Scheffler who carry psychological baggage in match play, their momentum and attacking style make them the International team's most dangerous weapon.

Still, the balance of probability tilts toward the United States. The No. 3 Course at Medinah Country Club, which hosts the 2026 event, is a demanding layout that rewards both power off the tee and precise shot-making.

A roster loaded with major champions — including Xander Schauffele and Collin Morikawa — gives the US more than enough depth to absorb any dip in Scheffler's form. For the International team to finally snap a 13-match losing streak, Kim Si-woo and Tom Kim must do more than play well — they must directly neutralize the core of the US lineup in every session they take the course.


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