Three Presidents Cup Pairings the PGA Would Love to See

The Presidents Cup arrives at Medinah GCC in Chicago this week with the rosters finalized. The only missing piece now is the one that golf fans are most eager to see. That is of course, the Captain’s announcement of the pairings.

U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker and International captain Geoff Ogilvy won’t reveal their Thursday Four-ball lineups until Wednesday afternoon. So in essence, there is still plenty of time for speculation.

For fun, and with absolutely no inside information whatsoever, here are The Cover’s three pairings that the PGA, and fans of game everywhere, would probably love to see.

Scottie Scheffler and Russell Henley

This one almost feels too obvious.

Henley and Scheffler have already played five team matches together between the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup, and all five came in Foursomes or Four-ball. The PGA Tour itself noted that it would be a surprise if the two weren’t paired together again at Medinah.

There is also a pretty clear reason beyond familiarity. They definitely know how to play together.

Scheffler brings the world’s No. 1 ranking and the kind of all-around game that makes him dangerous in match play. Henley, meanwhile, arrives with a strong Presidents Cup record after going 3-1-0 at Royal Montreal in 2024. Put them together and you have a combination that already has some history.

Xander Schauffele and Justin Thomas

If the PGA wants star power, this is the pairing.

Both players have extensive Presidents Cup experience, both are proven team competitors and both have the kind of game that can produce momentum quickly in Four-ball.

Thomas is especially interesting, and he has been part of successful U.S. pairings in previous team competitions. Schauffele has established himself as one of America’s most dependable players in team golf.

This would also give viewers two recognizable names playing together, which is never a bad thing for ratings, at an event built around personalities, as well as performance.

Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott

Now we’re talking about experience.

Scott is making his 12th Presidents Cup appearance, tying Phil Mickelson for the most appearances in the event’s history. Matsuyama, also brings major-championship pedigree and considerable Presidents Cup experience.

There’s something appealing about pairing two of the International team’s most recognizable players together at Medinah.

Scott has never been part of an International team that won the Presidents Cup, while Matsuyama has been one of the team’s most important players over the years. If Ogilvy wants to lean on experience early, this would be a smart combination.

Of course, these are only hypothetical pairings. The captains have plenty of other options, including some intriguing possibilities involving Canada’s Corey Conners and Nick Taylor, who will both represent the International side, with Taylor making his Presidents Cup debut. If those two sharp shooters, with Taylor being known for clutch putting, happen to be paired up, there just might be a large, and loud Canadian contingent in the gallery cheering them both on.

This is all part of the excitement. The rosters are already set. Now the good stuff between Captains, actually begins. 

The Cover will follow up on Wednesday for the afternoon pairing’s announcement.