Brandt Snedeker doubles down on message to U.S. Presidents Cup team with simple request

19:59 ET, 24 Sep 2026Updated 20:00 ET, 24 Sep 2026

The United States team went up 3-2 in the first match session at Medinah, and captain Brandt Snedeker said that his instructions to keep the plan simple must continue.

Sam Burns and Scottie Scheffler were first off the tee box for the Americans, as they faced Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im. They were tied for nearly the entire round until the Americans pulled away on the 17th hole, and it came after Burns performed a prank on his playing partner.

The team boasts three rookies, including 21-year-old Jackson Koivun, Jacob Bridgeman, and three-time 2026 winner Chris Gotterup. Captain Snedeker had just one message for the entire team following Thursday’s session.

“I think the message has been pretty simple all week. We've got to simplify this thing for us,” said Snedeker. “These guys know what they're doing, best golfers in the world.”

“We're just going to get them in a position that we think they can be successful in and make sure they get plenty of rest. It's going to be a long week. Even though this is only one session so far, we've got four more to go. So there's a lot more golf coming up.”

Snedeker leads a captain's team of Gary Woodland, Keegan Bradley, Jim Furyk, and Webb Simpson, and the group just wanted each of their 12 players to be themselves heading into the week.

“I think just being around the guys in the team room is super important,” said Snedeker ahead of the tournament.

“We're very fortunate on our side with the team room we have. These guys are all really good friends. They get along really well.

"They're very open and honest with each other. I think that helps kind of put some of the pressure off of these guys when they feel like they can ask questions and be real with each other and understand what they're going to go through.

“I think us as captains and vice captains, we have a role to help these young guys along. We have veterans to put their arms around these young guys to help understand what's in front of them and know they're not alone.”

The Americans are looking to hold off the International team to prevent it from earning its first win since 1998.

“That's what we do as a team,” said Snedeker. “We're going to win as a team and lose as a team, but we're going to do it as a team. I think it's getting that conversation going with young guys and letting them know we're all in this together and they're not alone is super important.”

Burns and Scheffler barely pulled away with the win in four-ball during the first session of the Presidents Cup as the 12 players face the second day at Medinah tomorrow.

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