Cameron Smith topped the qualification standings but became ineligible when he joined LIV Golf at the end of the PGA Tour season; International Team will have eight rookies in their team, including five captain's picks; watch live from September 22-25 on Sky Sports Golf
Tuesday 6 September 2022 16:57, UK
International Team captain Trevor Immelman has named five debutants among his six picks to complete his side for this monthβs Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow.
Immelman was due to only have four captain's picks for the biennial contest, but was handed two extra selections when two of the automatic qualifiers - Open champion Cameron Smith and Chile's Joaquin Niemann - elected to join LIV Golf after the conclusion of the FedExCup season.
Smith and Niemann were ineligible to compete in the Presidents Cup as they were suspended by the PGA Tour for joining the breakaway circuit, along with all other LIV Golf members, which limited Immelman's options for completing the International Team line-up.
Si Woo Kim returns to make his second Presidents Cup appearance, having featured in the record-breaking defeat to Team USA in 2017, with compatriot K.H Lee selected to make his debut after successfully defending his AT&T Byron Nelson title earlier this season.
South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Australia's Cam Davis, Colombia's Sebastian Munoz and Canada's Taylor Pendrith were the other four players picked, meaning eight of Immelman's 12-man line-up will be making their debuts.
Former Masters champions Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott were among the automatic qualifiers, along with Chile's Mito Pereira, South Korean Joohyung (Tom) Kim and Canada's Corey Conners.
Team USA are defending champions after their narrow 16-14 victory in Australia in 2019, with the hosts looking for a record ninth consecutive Presidents Cup victory, while the International Team has only one of the previous 13 editions.
"We understand exactly the mountain that we have in front of us: Possibly the best American team ever assembled if you look at them on paper with their accomplishments and what their world rankings are," Immelman said.
"I don't really think I have to play the underdog role up. I think everybody knows it. Everybody sees it clear as day. Our team has had a lot of adversity thrown at us over the last year or so. But adversity makes you stronger.
"You know, the underdog role is there. Everybody sees it. We'll carry that with pride. We'll be representing underdogs all over the world in every facet of life, whether it be business or sport or kids at school. We'll be out there representing all the underdogs trying to make them proud."
Davis Love III will name his six captain's picks for Team USA on Wednesday September 7, with Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Sam Burns, Justin Thomas and Tony Finau his six automatic qualifiers.
Watch the Presidents Cup live from September 22-25 live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on Thursday September 22 from 5.30pm on Sky Sports Golf.
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