There could be a distinctly new feel to the Presidents Cup, with many new faces in the running to feature in September’s showdown at Liberty National Golf Club.
The USA continued their domination of the event last time out when the Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, South Korea, played host to the first Cup on Asian soil, but the host side were unable to break the Americans stranglehold on the event, which now stretches to six wins in a row following their 15½–14½ victory.
As it stands, Justin Thomas, Daniel Berger, Brooks Koepka, Kevin Kisner, Kevin Chappell and Charley Hoffman are all in contention to make Steve Stricker’s side, with only 2015 members Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar currently in place for automatic selection.
Veteran campaigner Phil Mickelson was a captain’s pick in South Korea, and will again need a call-up from outside the rankings at this stage. Bubba Watson is in a similar position, after being second on the points list last time out. The left-hander is now 37th on the list.
The 2017 teams will be confirmed on 6 September – when Stricker and Nick Price make their two captain’s picks – following this week’s WGC event in Ohio, next week’s US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow and then the first two FedExCup playoff events.
The International team has a familiar feel to it, with seven of the 10 in the automatic spots having done duty in 2015, including Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace.
Current team standings
USA:
1. Dustin Johnson
2. Jordan Spieth
3. Justin Thomas
4. Daniel Berger
5. Brooks Koepka
6. Rickie Fowler
7. Kevin Kisner
8. Matt Kuchar
9. Kevin Chappell
10. Charley Hoffman
Next best: Patrick Reed, Brian Harman, Jason Dufner, Brandt Snedeker and Gary Woodland
International team:
1. Hideki Matsuyama (JAP)
2. Jason Day (AUS)
3. Adam Scott (AUS)
4. Charl Schwartzel (RSA)
5. Louis Oosthuizen (RSA)
6. Marc Leishman (AUS)
7. Branden Grace (RSA)
8. Si Woo Kim (KOR)
9. Emiliano Grillo (ARG)
10. Hideto Tanihara (JAP)
Next best: Adam Hadwin (CAN), Byeong Hun-An (KOR), Haotong Li (JAP), Yuta Ikeda (JAP) and Jeunghun Wang (KOR
