BySarah Gwynn, europeantour.com
Six European Tour Members will represent the International team in next month’s Presidents Cup, and vice-captain Tony Johnstone believes they can help turn around the Americans’ dominance in the event.
Angel Cabrera, Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel, Branden Grace, Louis Oosthuizen and Richard Sterne have all qualified for captain Nick Price’s team – the latter three making their debut – and Johnstone is relishing the prospect of working with some of the most exciting players in the world at Muirfield Village in Columbia, Ohio, USA.
Price handed his two wild card picks to Brendan de Jonge and Marc Leishman, and the Internationals are aiming to redress the balance, having lost the last four Presidents Cups.
“I think we’ve got a great team and the guys are really fired up,” said Johnstone, who is playing on the European Senior Tour this week at the WINSTONgolf Senior Open. “It was a very tough decision for Nick Price.
“It’s tough for Tim Clark and Thongchai Jaidee, who were close to making it. They probably both lacked a little bit of length for Muirfield Village, particularly if it’s going to be wet and even longer than normal. He said the hardest thing was having to phone the guys who hadn’t made it.
“We’ve got a really good side with a great mix of youth and experience. It’s good we’ve got a lot of young guys because the Internationals haven’t got a great record with seven losses, one draw and one win, so there’s a lack of scar tissue with the younger players.
“They haven’t been out there on three or four losing sides and thinking, ‘Here we go again’. They want to prove themselves.
“Brendan de Jonge has played fantastically lately, as has Marc Leishman. Branden Grace is a hugely exciting player and will be a great asset to the team, and Louis (Oosthuizen) and Richard Sterne are also making their debuts and will want to show what they can do.”
An animated Johnstone added: “I get so excited when I think about it, it’s ridiculous! I feel like I’ve had ten cups of caffeine.
“I saw all the guys over in the States at a meeting, and they all spoke up and said their piece. They are all just so determined to turn this thing around. I think the Presidents Cup needs to Internationals to win a bit. If it’s lopsided, people tend to lose interest.
“Nick loves the tournament and wants it to be a great contest. If it’s close, it becomes a thrilling spectacle, and hopefully we’ll have that in a few weeks’ time.”
For more about the Presidents Cup,click here
