Scottie Scheffler receives blunt assessment from Paul McGinley after Presidents Cup opener

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley claimed Scottie Scheffler has yet to prove himself in team events after the world number one helped the United States take a 3-2 lead on day one of the 2026 Presidents Cup.

Brandt Snedeker's Team USA came out on top in the opening session against Geoff Ogilvy's International side at Medinah Country Club, with Scheffler and close friend Sam Burns beating Min Woo Lee and Sungjae Im in the opening match.

Speaking on Golf Channel's Live From the Presidents Cup, McGinley said Lee and Im had missed a crucial opportunity to set the tone for the Internationals.

He also argued that Scheffler still does not have the same aura in match play as he does over 72 holes.

"He's the best player in the world but not the best team player. His team play record is very average.

"I'm not intimidated playing Scottie in match play compared to what I am in 72-hole events. There's two different players there.

"He hasn't proved himself yet in team events."

Scheffler made his debut for the United States at the 2021 Ryder Cup and has since played in two more editions of the biennial event, as well as representing the red, white and blue at the Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow and Royal Montreal.

Across the two competitions, he had a combined record of 6-11-4 heading into the 2026 Presidents Cup.

McGinley said the Internationals needed to take their opportunities against Scheffler rather than be overawed by his individual record.

"They didn't stand up," he said. "If they're going to win this, you've got to stand up in those moments.

"Opportunities are presented, you've got to walk through, and they didn't do it.

"A lot of that comes, not so much from the execution of shots, but from the excitement of being in this position."

McGinley continued: "To be honest, we weren't that intimidated playing Tiger Woods in Ryder Cup matches, the way a lot of us were playing against him in individuals, because we saw him not be the same Tiger at team events.

"Rather than thinking, 'Oh my God, I'm playing Tiger Woods tomorrow', there was an opportunity to play Tiger when he's kind of got one hand tied behind his back here and I have a chance to put my name up against Tiger Woods.

"That's the attitude the Internationals need to have. Rather than thinking, 'I'm playing Scottie, who's brilliant in 72-hole tournaments'.

"The opportunity was there and that top match was very disappointing.

"If I'm Geoff Ogilvy, I’m really disappointed that those guys didn't close the door because it was wide open."

Friday foursomes matches