This year, the biennial Presidents Cup arrives at Quail Hollow, where a rerouted design will be used to ensure that all matches reach the signature ‘Green Mile’ to heighten the drama.
However, golf’s ensuing civil war between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has been the biggest story and means that selection for the Presidents Cup teams has taken different shape to previous years with a number of big names ineligible on both sides.
While the US team will have a different look to the all-conquering line-up of the 2020 Ryder Cup (played in September 2021), many of the Internationals‘ more established stars from the 2019 edition have defected to LIV and subsequently meant that they have faced suspensions from the PGA Tour and therefore the PGA Tour-run Presidents Cup.
Captains Trevor Immelman and Davis Love III still have a plethora of strong players to choose from to make up their respective teams, but it’s impossible to ignore the big names missing including the likes of Cameron Smith and Dustin Johnson.
Starting on Thursday, we preview ten players who won’t be making the trip to Charlotte for this year’s edition:
The International Team
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The biggest name for the International Team should have been the 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year and current World No.3, Cam Smith. Right after his historic victory at the 150th Open at the Home of Golf, rumours started to circulate about whether he was set to join LIV Golf. After admitting ‘I’m ready to cop some heat’ at the FedEx St Jude Championship, the announcement of his move became a question of when not if.
Smith made his Presidents Cup debut in 2019, going 1-1-1 including a Sunday singles win against match play guru and US Team top scorer Justin Thomas. He also showcased his talent with a win at the Chicago edition of LIV’s series just last week. There is only one American player ranked higher than him in the world of golf, demonstrating how big of a miss he’ll be.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Another huge void will be the breakout star from the 2019…
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