President’s Cup Past Winners and History

Modeled on the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup is a biennial competition between US and non-European international players. It was created by—and continues to be run by—the PGA Tour.

The President’s Cup is a match play event, consisting of a mix of eleven foursome doubles (alternate shot), eleven four ball doubles and twelve singles matches. Each match is worth a single point. A victory consists of at least 17.5 points. Half points are awarded for ties in the foursomes and four balls. Sunday singles matches, on the other hand are played until one player wins outright.

The inaugural President’s Cup event was held in 1994, with Hale Irwin and David Graham as Captains. Gerald Ford served as Honorary Chairman. The event was initially to be scheduled on even numbered years, alternating with the Ryder Cup. When the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2000 occurred, however, both the Ryder and President’s Cups were pushed back a year. The Ryder Cup now is even years, and the President’s Cup in Odd years.

A host of international leaders have served as honorary chairmen since Gerald Ford: President George H. W. Bush, then-Australian Prime Minister John Howard, then-President Bill Clinton, the former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, George W. Bush and the Prime Minister of Canada Stephen Harper.

A list of the winning teams, their margin of victories and team captains follow: