When 2024 Presidents CupRoyal Montreal Golf Club wrapped up on Sunday, September 29, 2024, NBC Sports was on every screen from noon to six in the evening, feeding live TV to NBC and streaming the action on Peacock and fubo. The United States squad entered the final singles session with an 11‑7 edge over the International side, meaning they needed only four wins out of twelve matches to lock up a ninth straight trophy. The pressure was palpable, the fans were buzzing, and the broadcast team made sure nobody missed a single putt.
Background: A Biennial Battle at a Historic Venue
The Presidents Cup, founded in 1994, pits an American team against a composite International team from outside Europe. The competition rotates between U.S. and non‑U.S. courses every two years, and 2024 marked the return to Montreal after a 17‑year hiatus – the club last hosted the event in 2007, when the United States won 19½‑14½. Royal Montreal Golf Club is a classic Parkland‑style layout, its 18‑hole, 7,588‑yard course demanding precision on the tight, tree‑lined fairways.
Team captains this year were Jon Rahm for the United States and Trevor Immelman for the International side, both seasoned veterans who had already earned Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup glory.
Broadcast Schedule: How to Catch Every Moment
Here's a quick rundown of the TV and streaming windows, all localized to Eastern Time:
- Thursday, September 26 – Golf Channel kicked off coverage from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Friday, September 27 – Golf Channel aired from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, September 28 – Early‑morning foursomes on Golf Channel (7:00 a.m.–8:00 a.m.), then a marathon of NBC and Peacock from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, September 29 – The decisive singles matches were on NBC from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., with simultaneous live streams on Peacock and fubo. Will Call hours ran 8:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m., and gates opened for the public at 9:00 a.m.
The NBC Sports App also offered a "Live From the Presidents Cup" feed, giving mobile viewers the same split‑screen action that the TV audience enjoyed.
On‑Course Drama: Sweeps, Swings, and a Nail‑Biting Finish
The first day saw the United States sweep the four‑ball matches 5‑0 – only the seventh such sweep in the event’s history – sending an early shockwave through the clubhouse. The International team answered back on day two, executing a flawless foursomes sweep that leveled the scoreboard at 5‑5. That back‑and‑forth set the tone for a tournament defined by momentum shifts.
Day three mixed formats, with the U.S. pulling ahead 11‑7 after a blend of four‑ball and foursomes matches. The margin meant the Americans only needed four wins (or three wins and a tie) in the final singles session to clinch the Cup.
On Sunday, the singles matches unfolded like a chess match. The United States secured victories in four of the first five matches, putting the final tally at 15‑13. A late‑day rally by the International side sliced the gap to a single point, but a decisive 10‑foot birdie putt from Scottie Scheffler on the 16th sealed the win for the Americans.
Player Highlights and Captain Decisions
Captain Jon Rahm’s pairing choices drew praise from analysts. He teamed the seasoned Jordan Spieth with rising star Collin Morikawa in the opening four‑ball, a duo that posted a flawless 5‑0 record.
Trevor Immelman, meanwhile, locked in a "home‑grown" shuffle for the International foursomes, pairing South Africa’s Paul Casey with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama. Their chemistry was evident, but the eventual singles matchups left the International side chasing one too many points.
Statistically, the U.S. team posted a 73.5% conversion rate on eagle opportunities (15 eagles out of 20 chances) versus 42% for the International squad. The Americans also out‑driven the green by an average of 31.2 yards on par‑5 holes.
Audience Impact and Economic Boost for Montreal
The event attracted roughly 450,000 on‑site spectators over four days, according to the Royal Montreal Golf Club’s ticketing office. Local hotels reported a 28% occupancy surge, translating to an estimated CAD 12 million injection into the city’s hospitality sector.
Beyond the physical crowd, NBC reported a peak viewership of 4.2 million households during the final singles, with streaming platforms adding another 1.1 million unique viewers. The multi‑platform strategy clearly paid off – advertisers paid a premium, and the tournament’s digital footprint grew by 18% versus the 2022 edition at Quail Hollow.
What’s Next? The Future of the Presidents Cup
With the United States now boasting a nine‑year run, the International camp is itching for a breakthrough. Captain Immelman hinted during the post‑event press conference that the next roster will feature more Asian and African players, aiming to broaden the talent pool.
The next Presidents Cup is slated for 2026 at the South Korean venue of Seorak‑Bongnae Golf Club, a decision made by the PGA Tour’s International Committee in November 2024. Analysts expect the 2026 edition to bring a fresh cultural flair and potentially a tighter broadcast schedule, as streaming services continue to dominate live sports consumption.
Key Facts
- Event: 2024 Presidents Cup (Sept 26‑29)
- Location: Royal Montreal Golf Club, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Final Score: United States 15 – 13 International
- US Captain: Jon Rahm; International Captain: Trevor Immelman
- Live TV: NBC (12 p.m.–6 p.m. Sunday); Golf Channel (early rounds)
- Streaming: Peacock, fubo; NBC Sports App for all days
- Attendance: ~450,000 spectators; peak TV audience 4.2 million households
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Presidents Cup format differ from the Ryder Cup?
The Presidents Cup pits the United States against an International team (excluding Europe), while the Ryder Cup is USA vs. Europe. Both use match‑play formats—four‑ball, foursomes, and singles—but the Presidents Cup includes a larger pool of players and a different points system, with 30 matches total instead of 28.
Which broadcast channels carried the 2024 Presidents Cup?
Early rounds (Thursday‑Saturday) were on Golf Channel. The final day singles were televised on NBC, with simultaneous streaming on Peacock and fubo. The NBC Sports App provided a live feed for all four days.
What were the key moments that swung the 2024 event in the U.S. favor?
The U.S. opened with a flawless five‑match four‑ball sweep, then reclaimed the lead on day three with a mix of aggressive foursomes and four‑ball play, moving to an 11‑7 advantage. A decisive birdie by Scottie Scheffler on the 16th hole of the final singles cemented the win.
How many viewers tuned in to the final day?
NBC reported an average of 4.2 million household viewers for the Sunday singles, while Peacock and fubo together added roughly 1.1 million unique streaming users, marking the highest combined audience for a Presidents Cup final since 2015.
When and where will the next Presidents Cup be held?
The PGA Tour has scheduled the 2026 Presidents Cup for Seorak‑Bongnae Golf Club on the Korean peninsula, with the tournament slated for early September 2026.