2026 Teams Feature Six of Top 20 Players in the World, Three Major Champions, Six Ryder Cup/Presidents Cup Competitors, and Three Returning Players
Team Rory Features Major Champion Matt Fitzpatrick, Four-Time PGA Tour Winner Si Woo Kim, and Returning Favorite Haotong Li
Team Scottie – Defending Optum Golf Channel Game Champions – Features Five-Time PGA Tour Winner Chris Gotterup, Two-Time 2026 Tour Winner Michael Brennan, and PGA Tour Rookie Standout Jackson Koivun
Optum Golf Channel Games to be Hosted Under the Lights at Trump National Golf Club Jupiter in Jupiter, Fla., Live in Primetime on Golf Channel and USA Network
STAMFORD, Conn. – PGA Tour superstars Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler headline the team rosters at the highly-anticipated return of the Optum Golf Channel Games, which debuted to critical acclaim in 2025 and will be held once again at Trump National Golf Club Jupiter on Wednesday, December 16, airing live in primetime on Golf Channel and USA Network.
Team Rory will include 2022 U.S. Open Champion Matt Fitzpatrick, four-time PGA Tour winner Si Woo Kim, and four-time DP World Tour winner Haotong Li, who is returning to Team Rory for the 2026 competition.
Team Scottie, which won last year’s inaugural Optum Golf Channel Games, will feature Chris Gotterup, a five-time PGA Tour winner including three wins in 2026, three-time PGA Tour winner Michael Brennan and 2026 PGA Tour rookie standout and Tour winner Jackson Koivun.
“The inaugural Optum Golf Channel Games proved that a unique format showcasing the best players in the world under the pressure of a running clock produces a kind of energy we don’t normally see in our sport,” said Tom Knapp, Golf Channel EVP and GM. “That energy translated to the viewers at home and we’re excited to build off of last year’s momentum with this group of elite golfers, leaning into what worked well last year and implementing some new challenges this year.”
World No. 1 Scheffler and No. 2 McIlroy return to lead their teams through the rapid-fire golf competition, which will feature fan-favorite challenges such as the Team Relay and 14-Club Challenge, as well as new challenges for the 2026 competitors.
QUICK FACTS
- Team Rory: Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, Si Woo Kim, Haotong Li
- Team Scottie: Scottie Scheffler, Chris Gotterup, Michael Brennan, Jackson Koivun
- The 2026 teams include six of the top 20 players in the Official World Golf Rankings
- Scheffler (No. 1), McIlroy (2), Fitzpatrick (3), Gotterup (6), Kim (14) and Brennan (18)
- There are three Major Champions competing in 2026 (Scheffler, McIlroy, Fitzpatrick)
- The 2026 field has a combined 70 wins on the PGA Tour and a combined 13 Tour wins in 2026
- Four players competed in the 2026 Presidents Cup
- U.S. Team: Scheffler, Gotterup, Koivun
- International Team: Kim
- Three players competed in the 2025 Ryder Cup
- Team USA: Scheffler
- Team Europe: McIlroy, Fitzpatrick
- Three players are returning from the 2025 Optum Golf Channel Games (Scheffler, McIlroy, Li)
Producers Mark Loomis and Chris Maguire will lead Golf Channel’s production of the Optum Golf Channel Games, which were launched in association with PGA Tour Studios and created in partnership with EverWonder Studio and producer Bryan Zuriff. More details about the 2026 Optum Golf Channel Games including full broadcast team will be announced in the coming weeks.
About Optum
Optum is a leading information and technology-enabled health services business dedicated to helping make the health system work better for everyone. Optum delivers intelligent, integrated solutions that help to modernize the health system and improve overall population health. Optum is part of UnitedHealth Group. For more information, visit www.optum.com.
About Golf Channel
Golf Channel – the first-ever single-sport cable network which was founded in 1995 – delivers comprehensive live golf tournament, studio and shoulder programming. Golf Channel features more live coverage of the sport than all other U.S. television networks combined, including events across the PGA TOUR, LPGA Tour, USGA, R&A, DP World Tour, NCAA, and the Olympics, as well as news coverage via live morning programming and tentpole studio shows including Golf Today, Golf Central and the network’s critically-acclaimed Live From on-site pre- and post-round show at high-profile golf events.
About Versant
VERSANT (Nasdaq: VSNT) is an industry-changing media and entertainment business and home to trusted brands that shape culture, inform audiences, and build lasting connections. It operates across four core markets: political news and opinion, business news and personal finance, golf, and sports and genre entertainment. These markets are served through a powerful portfolio of iconic and innovative brands, including CNBC, MS NOW, USA Network, Golf Channel, Oxygen, E!, SYFY, USA Sports, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass and Full Swing. Visit www.VersantMedia.com for more information.
About Trump Golf
Trump Golf is home to a collection of the world’s most iconic golf destinations, with several consistently ranked among the “Top 100” globally. Renowned for hosting prestigious professional tournaments, Trump Golf boasts championship courses designed by leading architects, state-of-the-art practice facilities and world-class amenities.
Beyond the course, members and guests enjoy exclusive experiences, from fine dining and spa services to curated social and family events. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, Trump Golf continues to set the standard for luxury golf worldwide.
About PGA Tour Studios
PGA Tour Studios is the creative engine at the heart of golf—offering fans and partners unrivaled access to PGA Tour players, events and the game’s largest audience—reaching fans through premium storytelling, world-class production capabilities, multi-platform distribution and Fan Forward insights. Since “lights on” at PGA Tour Studios in January of 2025, its Emmy-nominated creative team has produced an expansive portfolio of content that delivers beyond world-class competition, including Scottie 24 in partnership with Rolex, Xander Embedded presented by Avis, Truth or Putt presented by Dunkin’, and its latest project, Mindful, among other offerings.
PGA Tour Studios houses all PGA Tour media operations, including live production of PGA Tour Champions, Korn Ferry Tour, more than 4,000 hours of PGA Tour LIVE on ESPN+, as well as the Tour’s expansive roster of more than 50 original, social and digital media platforms. Internationally, the PGA Tour Studios-produced World Feed is available across 200+ countries and territories in 30 languages via 39 broadcast and digital partners. Learn more about the state-of-the-art facility, its technology and leading role in the media landscape at PGATour.com/Studios.
Media Contacts
Jamie Palatini
VP, Communications
Jamie.palatini@versantmedia.com
(908) 347-1472
Jake Gellerman
Director, Communications
Jake.gellerman@versantmedia.com
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Publicist
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(714) 742-8301
The post Golf Channel Announces Team Rosters – Led by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler – for 2026 Optum Golf Channel Games, Airing December 16 on Golf Channel and USA Network appeared first on The Golf Wire.