Medinah Country Club has set the stage for some of the memorable moments in golf history. Its famous Course No. 3 has seen thrilling major championships, unforgettable Ryder Cup drama and incredible scoring records.
Now that the FedEx Cup season is complete, Medinah is gearing up to host another massive team event.
The 2026 Presidents Cup heads to Medinah from Sept. 22 to 27, with the official matches running from Thursday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Sept. 27. Brandt Snedeker will lead the U.S. squad, while Geoff Ogilvy captains the International team.
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This marks the 16th edition of the tournament and the ninth time it’s being played on American soil. Medinah is no stranger to elite tournaments, having already hosted three U.S. Opens, two PGA Championships, the 2012 Ryder Cup and the 2019 BMW Championship.
Over the years, those tournaments delivered moments golf fans still talk about today. Before the Presidents Cup arrives, here are five of Medinah’s most interesting scenes.
5. Justin Thomas fires a record 61 at the 2019 BMW ChampionshipJustin Thomas plays his shot from the fifth tee during the first round of the BMW Championship golf tournament. Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn ImagesThe 2019 BMW Championship gave Medinah one final look before Course No. 3 was redesigned.
Hideki Matsuyama started the scoring rush. He shot a 9-under 63 in the second round to set a course record.
Justin Thomas broke it one day later.
Thomas played an 11-under 61 in the third round. The round gave him a six-shot lead heading into Sunday. He finished the tournament at 25-under 263 and won by three shots over Patrick Cantlay.
It was Thomas’ first BMW Championship title. His score was also the lowest relative-to-par total in BMW Championship history at that time.
Around 130,000 fans attended during the week.
The huge scores also showed why Medinah needed a new challenge. Course No. 3 had become easier to attack. The 2023-24 redesign aimed to change that before the club hosted another major team event.
4. Europe completes Miracle at Medinah in 2012Martin Kaymer tees off on the 7th hole during the first round of the 112th U.S. Open golf tournament at The Olympic Club. Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY SportsNothing in Medinah’s history matches the drama of the 2012 Ryder Cup.
The U.S. led Europe 10-6 heading into Sunday singles. America needed only 4.5 points from 12 matches to win. Europe needed 8.5 points for an outright victory.
Instead, Europe produced one of the greatest comebacks in golf history.
The first five singles matches all went Europe’s way. Luke Donald beat Bubba Watson. Ian Poulter beat Webb Simpson. Rory McIlroy beat Keegan Bradley. Justin Rose beat Phil Mickelson. Paul Lawrie then beat Brandt Snedeker 5&3.
Sergio Garcia beat Jim Furyk 1-up. Lee Westwood followed with a 3&2 win over Matt Kuchar.
Martin Kaymer then faced Steve Stricker. Kaymer rolled in a roughly 6-foot putt on the 18th hole to win 1-up. That point secured the comeback.
Tiger Woods played the final match against Francesco Molinari. Woods conceded Molinari’s putt on 18, producing a half and giving Europe a 14.5-13.5 win.
Europe’s rally matched the U.S. comeback from 10-6 down at Brookline in 1999. It remains the biggest comeback by a team playing away from home.
Europe also wore Seve Ballesteros’s navy-and-white colors throughout the week. Captain Jose Maria Olazabal dedicated the victory to his former partner, who had died the year before.
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3. Tiger Woods wins the PGA Championship again in 2006Tiger Woods during the U.S. Open Championship at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters ConnectTiger Woods returned to Medinah seven years after his first PGA Championship there. This time, he left with a much bigger margin.
Woods shot 18-under 270 to win by five strokes over Shaun Micheel. The victory was his 12th major title.
He also arrived in strong form. Four weeks earlier, Woods had won the 2006 Open Championship at Hoylake. His Medinah victory gave him back-to-back major wins.
Woods attacked early on Sunday. He made four birdies in his first eight holes and opened with a 32.
Luke Donald, a Chicago-area favorite and Northwestern alum, entered the final round tied for the lead. He struggled badly and shot 74. Donald finished tied for third.
Woods became the first player to win the PGA Championship twice at the same course. That record still belongs to him.
2. Tiger Woods holds off Sergio Garcia in 1999Tiger Woods (left) walks past Sergio Garcia (right) on the 1st fairway during the third round of The Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Credit: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY SportsMedinah first became closely linked with Woods during the 1999 PGA Championship.
Woods was only 23 years old. He won his second major by one shot over 19-year-old Sergio Garcia, who was playing only his second major as a professional.
Woods built a five-shot lead through the front nine. Garcia fought back on the 13th. He made a 15-foot birdie while Woods found the water.
The defining moment came on the 16th. Garcia stood near a tree and hit a blind 6-iron. He could not see the ball land, so he ran up the fairway to watch it.
Woods responded on the 17th. He saved par with a 6-foot putt after Steve Williams helped him read the line. However, Woods then two-putted the 18th to win.
His final score was 11-under 277. Garcia finished at 10-under 278.
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1. Hale Irwin’s 45-foot putt wins the 1990 U.S. OpenHale Irwin and Arnold Palmer with caddy’s at Augusta National Golf Course during the 1982 Masters. Credit: File Photo -The Augusta Chronicle via USA TODAY NETWORKMedinah’s modern championship story began with one unforgettable putt.
Hale Irwin was 45 years old and had gone five years without a Tour win. Playing two hours ahead of the final groups, he closed with a 67.
Then came the 72nd hole.
Irwin rolled in a 45-foot birdie putt to finish at 8-under 280. He then walked around the 18th green, high-fiving fans.
The putt forced an 18-hole playoff with Mike Donald. Both players shot 74 on Monday, forcing the U.S. Open’s first sudden-death finish under the format introduced that year.
Irwin finally won on the 91st hole of the championship. That was the 19th hole of the playoff.
At 45 years and 15 days old, he became the oldest U.S. Open champion in history. That record still stands.
The 1990 event was Medinah’s third U.S. Open, following championships in 1949 and 1975.
Now, more than three decades later, Course No. 3 is ready for another chapter. The Presidents Cup will bring team golf back to a place where pressure, records, and unforgettable finishes have become part of the history.
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