US Presidents Cup Players Find Common Ground in Christian Faith

The 2026 U.S. Presidents Cup team members, including Jacob Bridgeman, Russell Henley, Sam Burns, and Scottie Scheffler, share a Christian faith that has served as a foundation for their friendships and mutual understanding.

“I think probably my relationships with Russell, Sam, [and] Scottie have all kind of come from our faith, us being in this community together and all sharing the same background and the same beliefs,” Bridgeman told OutKick. He added that this shared foundation has helped him as he navigates his career on the professional golf tour.

U.S. captain Brandt Snedeker acknowledged that while the team's closeness extends beyond religious affiliation, faith has demonstrably strengthened bonds among some players. "It's definitely helped bond those guys for sure," Snedeker said. "They spend a lot of time together. They have Bible studies together on Tour."

Cameron Young also noted a connection stemming from shared principles, stating, “I wouldn't say it's a huge topic, but I think just when you get a group of people that generally believe in the same underlying principles you're going to have some level of connection or bond with them.”

During tournaments on the PGA Tour, players like Henley often participate in Tuesday night Bible studies and engage with Christian ministries that serve golfers. "So that's my community I guess when I'm on the road," Henley said.

For Bridgeman, these relationships have been instrumental in managing the self-imposed pressure of professional golf. He explained that older players have helped him understand that his worth is not solely determined by his performance on the course. "I think over the last few years, I've grown a lot in my understanding that I'm not measured by the number that I shoot," Bridgeman said. "Even though I shoot a 65, I'm not any better of a person than the day when I shoot a 75."

When asked about how faith helps during difficult rounds, Henley emphasized that his beliefs offer peace and a perspective beyond his golfing career. "I don't know that I necessarily rely on my faith to play better, but I think knowing that I'm going to have a place in heaven because of what I believe and what Jesus has done for me, not anything I've done, because of what he's done, definitely gives me peace," he said. "That doesn't mean I don't get nervous and frustrated and struggle with anger, but I know what I think the truth is and what I believe to be true."

Sam Burns echoed this sentiment, noting in a previous interview that golf tests his faith daily. "You can hit really good shots and end up in bad places, or bad shots end up in good places," Burns said. "Sometimes it seems silly, but ultimately it's a game that teaches you a lot about life and definitely can make you realize what's most important."

Young also stressed the importance of perspective, stating, “Just from a competitive standpoint I really care about doing well. [Golf is] not the most important thing in the world, there's things far more important, but at the same time it's my job and it's something that I've dedicated a large portion of my life to." He finds that having a healthy family helps put the frustration of a poor golf round into context. "When you don't play well, it's just not the end of the world," Young said. "My children are healthy, my family's healthy, that's where things are hard. Golf is not hard in that sense."