‘Massive’: Aussie gun seals Pres Cup spot

International Team captain Mike Weir labelled Min Woo Lee “one of the best drivers of the golf ball” in the world as he named the Australian to make his Presidents Cup debut at Royal Montreal.

The elevation, as one of six captain’s picks, into a team including fellow Aussies Adam Scott and Jason Day caps a monster year for Lee, who also represented Australia at the Paris Olympics.

But while Lee, the world No.42, was chosen to take on a stacked Team USA including dominant world No.1 Scottie Scheffler, countryman Cam Davis, who made his Presidents Cup debut in 2022 and is the world No.41, missed selection.

Lee, 26, joined South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout, a trio of Canadians in Corey Conners, Taylor Pendrith and Mackenzie Hughes, and Korea’s Si Woo Kim as the six captain’s picks for first-time skipper Weir.

“What I can bring to the International Team is flair and hopefully some good golf,” Lee said after his selection.

“I’ve been playing pretty solid this year. Being on the International Team is very special and obviously being the home side, it’ll be massive to play good in front of the fans.”

Weir said it was a “tough choice” to choose Korean Kim, who was 12th on the rankings, over Davis, who was ninth.

“Well, if you look at Si Woo, his record in these things and the way he competes, all of his captains have seen it first hand and up close,” he said.

“We just know how consistent he is all the way around. Not that Cam isn’t, either; Cam was very deserving, as well, and you wish you could pick 13 or 14, but there’s only 12, and it was a really tough choice.

“I believe in Cam Davis, too, but also believe in Si Woo, and that’s why we went with him there. Those are the tough calls as captain that you have to make.”

It’s the first time three Canadian players will compete for the International team, which is looking for its first victory over the US since 1998.

Weir, Canada’s only male major champion, said he felt “justified” in his selections and it would add “juice” to the team.

“Well, I think it’s important but also as captain you have to be fair to the whole international community. I think I was very justified the three picks, very exciting,” he said.

“I think it just shows the state of Canadian golf that we can pick three for five or six guys that were in the mix.

“You do want the Canadian fans. I think they’re going to be very engaged with all our international players. But having some Canadians on there brings a little bit more juice, so to speak, to our team.”

US captain Jim Furyk picked the players ranked seventh to 12th in the points standings as his wildcards, including assistant captain and Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley.

Sam Burns, Tony Finau, Russell Henley, Brian Harman and Max Homa round out the strong US team.

The International Team has won just once in Presidents Cup history, with the US claiming 12 victories and the 2003 edition ending in a tie.

PRESIDENTS CUP TEAMS

International team (world ranking)

Hideki Matsuyama (7), Adam Scott (18), Sungjae Im (20), Tom Kim (23), Jason Day (33), Byeong Hun An (34), Corey Connors (38), Min Woo Lee (42), Taylor Pendrith (45), Christiaan Bezuidenhout (46), Si Woo Kim (49), Mackenzie Hughes (65)

Team USA

Scottie Scheffler (1), Xander Schauffele (2), Collin Morikawa (4), Wyndham Clark (6), Patrick Cantlay (9), Sahith Theegala (12), Keegan Bradley (13), Russell Henley (15),

Sam Burns (17), Brian Harman (19), Tony Finau (21), Max Homa (22)