The 2026 Junior Presidents Cup will return to the Chicago area with two familiar names at the helm. The Presidents Cup and AJGA announced that Matt Kuchar will captain the United States Team, while C.T. Pan will lead the International Team when the event heads to Medinah Country Club, September 20–21, 2026.

The fifth edition of the Junior Presidents Cup will be played on a special routing of Medinah’s Courses No. 1 and No. 2, just days before the Presidents Cup begins on Course No. 3.

Showcasing the World’s Top Junior Boys

The Junior Presidents Cup features a 24-player field of the world’s top junior boys age 19 and younger — 12 representing the United States and 12 from international countries outside Europe. The two-day team match-play format includes six Four-ball and Foursomes matches on Sunday, followed by 12 Singles matches on Monday.

“The Junior Presidents Cup has become a treasured tradition of Presidents Cup week and we’re thrilled to continue building that legacy at Medinah Country Club,” said 2026 Executive Director Joie Chitwood. “With Matt Kuchar and C.T. Pan leading two talented teams, this competition offers a glimpse of the future stars that could one day shine on golf’s biggest stages.”

Veteran Leadership for Both Sides

Kuchar, a nine-time PGA TOUR winner and five-time Presidents Cup participant, brings extensive team experience to the U.S. side. His junior golf roots trace back to 13 AJGA starts and multiple Rolex Junior All-America honors. His son Cameron recently followed in those footsteps, earning Rolex Junior All-American status in 2025.

“It’s an incredible honor to lead the U.S. Team at the Junior Presidents Cup,” said Kuchar. “This event showcases the best junior golfers in the game and I’m excited to help these players experience the spirit of team competition at a historic venue like Medinah.”

Pan, a three-time Olympian for Chinese Taipei and standout performer at the 2019 Presidents Cup, will guide the International Team. A former Rolex Junior All-American, Pan has ten AJGA starts and has given back to junior golf by hosting multiple AJGA tournaments and supporting the AJGA’s International Pathway Series.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be named captain of the International Team for the Junior Presidents Cup,” said Pan. “When you are called to represent your team and your country, it’s always a special experience and I know first-hand that this event will give these junior golfers one of their first chances to compete on a global stage.”

Medinah’s Historic Setting

Medinah’s Course No. 1, originally crafted in 1925 by Tom Bendelow and reimagined by Tom Doak in 2014, has a rich tournament heritage and remains a favorite walking course for members. Course No. 2, designed by Bendelow in 1927 and restored in 2017, was updated with modern infrastructure while preserving its classic feel and playability for golfers of all skill levels.

“It is an honor for Medinah Country Club to host the 2026 Junior Presidents Cup,” said Vaughn Moore, Medinah Country Club President. “This will be a historic event as it will be the first time in the United States that a Junior Presidents Cup will be hosted at the same property as the PGA TOUR’s Presidents Cup.”

Recent History and Rising Alumni

The U.S. Team defeated the International Team 15–9 in the fourth edition of the Junior Presidents Cup in 2024 at Le Club Laval-sur-le-Lac in Montréal, Québec, Canada, where Charley Hoffman led the U.S. side and Canada’s Graham DeLaet captained the Internationals.

Since the event’s inception in 2017, the Junior Presidents Cup has produced a growing roster of future professionals. By 2026, nine past participants — including Akshay Bhatia, Garrick Higgo, Michael Thorbjornsen, and Karl Vilips — will hold exempt PGA TOUR status, while Auburn junior Jackson Koivun has already earned his TOUR card through PGA TOUR University Accelerated.

Eligibility and Selection

Teams will consist of 24 amateur junior boys from the United States and around the world (excluding Europe), split into two 12-player squads. Participants must be at least 12 years old by the start of the 2026 Junior Presidents Cup and, as of January 1, 2026, cannot have reached their 19th birthday or graduated from high school. Players must also be amateurs who have not yet started college or joined a collegiate golf program.

U.S. Team Criteria

U.S. Team selection will be based on the Rolex AJGA Rankings. On August 6, 2026, the leading 10 qualified players will earn spots, along with one captain’s pick. A final spot will go to the leading ranked player as of September 10, 2026, who is not otherwise qualified. In the event of a tie, the higher-ranked player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) will be selected. Each U.S. participant must be a U.S. citizen and an AJGA member in good standing.

International Team Criteria

International Team selection will follow the World Amateur Golf Ranking. On June 4, 2026, the leading 10 qualified players will earn spots, joined by one captain’s pick. A final place will go to the leading player on the WAGR list as of July 30, 2026, who is not otherwise qualified. Each International Team participant must be a citizen of an eligible Presidents Cup country outside the European Ryder Cup nations, and players must have their birthdate on file with WAGR to appear on the standings.

About the Presidents Cup

The Presidents Cup is a biennial global team competition between the United States and an International Team representing the rest of the world excluding Europe. The event, contested by the PGA TOUR, rotates between venues in the U.S. and overseas. The next Presidents Cup will take place at Medinah Country Club’s Course No. 3, September 22–27, 2026.

Since 1994, the Presidents Cup has generated more than $56 million for charity through event proceeds and contributions made on its behalf. Rolex serves as the exclusive Global Partner of the Presidents Cup.