Major champion banned from Presidents Cup despite captain’s plea

Geoff Ogilvy claims that his wish to call upon LIV Golf duo Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert for the Presidents Cup has been denied.

Ogilvy, named International team captain for the President’s Cup at Medinah later this month, asked PGA Tour bosses once again in the hope of a favourable solution.

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The Australian admits having enquired on two previous occasions, the first attempt coming two years ago and again last year, to no avail.

Pressed on his efforts, the 49-year-old said: “Yeah I asked it a few times.

“I asked it two years ago when this job started – ‘is there going to be any chance?’. ‘Well, it’s not going to be no chance but we have to see it how it unfolds’.

“I guess it just hasn’t unfolded to the point where they’re ready to, sort of, let that happen.”

The Presidents Cup is owned by the PGA Tour, meaning LIV golfers are prohibited from competing.

The rules differ from the Ryder Cup which saw Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Tyrell Hatton all feature last year as it is co-owned by the PGA of America and the DP World Tour.

Ogilvy, who claimed 2006 US Open glory, also revealed that he will play this summer’s Australian Open and Australian PGA Championship.

Ahead of the Presidents Cup which tees off on Tuesday, September 22, Ogilvy can call upon Australia’s Adam Scott and Min Woo Lee. 

There remains a sense of disappointment that Smith and Herbert will miss the tournament, but Ogilvy is hopeful that more of his compatriots will be available when the Presidents Cup emanates from Kingston Heath, Victoria, Australia in 2028.

“Trevor Immelman’s year (as captain), 2022 in Charlotte, he got very, very unlucky,” Ogilvy said.

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“That was a month before the tournament we lost three or four guys who would have been in the team.

“I feel like our side, the Internationals, got hurt a little harder than the US team did.

“I mean they lost some good players as well, but it wasn’t an option this year.

“It’s a great unknown LIV’s future at this point. So, in the future, it’d be great to see whatever comes out of it at the end of this that every International player, and every US player to be fair, is available to play this tournament.

“Because it’s a great tournament and it would be great if you had the whole pool of talent to pick from.”

Ogilvy also lifted the lid on his attempts to lure fellow Aussie Jason Day to be a player’s assistant after injury ruled him out of the event.

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Day retired midway through the opening round of this year’s US Open at Shinnecock Hills with a back injury.

But despite Ogilvy’s best intentions, Day instead opted to use the time to focus on his rehabilitation.

“I actually asked Jason if he would like to and he said he’d rather focus on his rehab of his back,” Ogilvy said.

“So, I certainly thought he could bring a lot of value to the team because of his experience and who he is.

“But yeah, he’s just chosen to look after himself, which is good, as he should. He needs to get himself squared away.”