Presidents Cup 2019: Ernie Els on his captain’s picks for Royal Melbourne

The Presidents Cup has largely been an American-dominate event for years, but International Captain Ernie Els is looking to turn that around with his four captain’s picks.

Ernie Els has made his first big decision as captain of the International Team for the Presidents Cup. He’s chosen his captain’s picks.  He believes his team will be ready to face the U.S. Team, which he thinks will include Tiger Woods.

“I think he’s going to his pick himself,” Els predicted. “I don’t think he has a choice.”

That opinion came in a media conference call to announce his captains’ picks.

“I went with these four guys who are very consistent and very strong under pressure,” Els said.

The four picks in the order that Els made them are Sungjae Im (South Korea),  Joaquin Neimann (Chile), Adam Hadwin (Canada), and Jason Day (Australia). The first two are Presidents Cup rookies.

Those who earned their way on points are: Hideki Matsuyama (Japan),  Adam Scott (Australia), Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa), Marc Leishman ( Australia), Abraham Ancer (Mexico), Haotong Li (China), Cameron Smith (Australia) and C.T. Pan (Taiwan).

Els noted that one of the hardest decisions he’s ever had to make was to not pick players.

Songjae Im was an Iron Man in 2019, playing 35 tournaments in his first season on the PGA Tour.

“It was a wonderful season,” Els said about the rookie’s first year, noting that he was the only rookie to qualify for the 2019 Tour Championship.

Im is enthusiastic about playing in his first Presidents Cup.

“I think with so many young players on the team this year, I think there will be a lot of passion and energy and I think that positive energy can help the team,” Im said through a translator.

Els’ second selection was Joaquin Neimann.

“What a great kid. I want to call you a  kid because you are my daughter’s age, but you played like grown man this past season,”  Els said.

Neimann’s victory at the Military Tribute at the Greenbrier in the early fall of 2019 solidified him as a pick.

Neimann cited the importance of the experience of Adam Scott and Jason Day to the rest of the team, especially the rookies.

“Hopefully they tell us the experience they had at the past Presidents Cup tournaments,” Neimann said. “I think it’s going to be really fun and were going to do great.”

Els’ third pick was Adam Hadwin.

“Adam was such a great member of our team the last time under Captain Price’s leadership in New York. You know, I loved the way he interacted with the team ( in 2018),” Els said about Hadwin. “He’s got an all-around great game, especially for our team formats in the first four sessions, and he’s had a very consistent year. ”

When asked who he would like to partner with in the upcoming Presidents Cup, Hadwin said, “I had not experienced playing with Hideki two years ago and Adam Scott, and both terrific,terrific competitors.”

He and Maysuyama tied Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed for a half point.  Then he paired with Adam Scott and they lost to Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar. In the singles he lost to Phil Mickelson.  He said result of the last Presidents Cup he played on was pretty deflating.

“It was such a high being there, and being part of the team and being around some of the best players in the world was an experience that I’m never going to forget. But certainly, we left a lot to be desired on the golf course ,” he noted about the 2018 Presidents Cup.

“I’m looking forward to having a second chance down at Royal Melbourne, a part of an incredible International Team, and hopefully we can right some of the wrongs that we’ve had in the past and do Captain Els proud.”

When asked who he wanted to partner with, Hadwin said, “I’m ready to play with kind of anybody in any situation.”

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With his last selection, Els made a big pick for the home crowd in Australia, which he hopes will act like the 13th man on the team. He chose Jason Day, a perfect complement to Adam Scott, both Aussie stars.  There are two additional Aussies on the team, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith.

“He’s from Australia, former world No. 1, major champion, Jason Day. He’s a former world number one, a major champion,” Els said about Day. “He’s going to come down to Australia as a hometown hero.”

“I want to thank Ernie, to have the faith in me, and I’m looking forward to catching up with the whole team down in Australia,” Day said.

Els noted that Day brings both experience and leadership to the team.

“He’s a class player.  He’s a player who can play under pressure, and these are the kind of guys I want on the team,” Els added. “I want guys who can perform under pressure, almost enjoy the pressure.  That’s the way you’re going to get it over the line.”

The International team hopes to win for the first time in 21 years. In 1998, the contest was also played in Australia at Royal Melbourne, and the Internationals won. In 2003 at Fancourt Hotel and Country Club in South Africa, the teams tied and shared the Cup.

Els assessment of the upcoming contest?

“It’s going to be one hell of a Cup,” he promised.