The United States won the&nbsp;Presidents&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;for a ninth consecutive time on Sunday with Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele delivering the clinching point in a 17.5-12.5 triumph over the Internationals. Schauffele never trailed in defeating Canada's Corey Conners 1-up, sinking a three-foot par putt at the 18th hole to lift the US squad to 15.5 points and seal the overall triumph at Quail Hollow.

"It feels good to win," Schauffele said. "It got pretty close there for a little bit. Winning is winning." The Americans, who led 11-7 entering the 12 final singles matches, improved to 12-1-1 in the all-time rivalry and have never lost on home soil. "They played great," US captain Davis Love said. "It was hard. They put in a lot of effort the last three weeks. They came in ready to go."

Conners, winless for the week, missed a five-foot par putt at 17 to keep Schauffele 1-up. At 18, Schauffele dropped his third shot three feet from the hole and, after Conners missed his third from a bunker, rolled in the deciding putt to tie the hole, win the match and set off a US celebration. "I was handed the opportunity and I was able to take advantage of it," Schauffele said.

The Internationals couldn't make the greatest last-day comeback in&nbsp;Presidents&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;history and haven't lifted the trophy since 1998. "We're a little disappointed," Internationals captain Trevor Immelman said. "We believed in ourselves. "We had an amazing week. They were fighting. These guys have massive hearts. I'll go into battle with them any day."

With 10 of the world's 16 top-ranked players, the US team was a heavy favorite over a global side that lost British Open champion Cam Smith and several other top players who jumped from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, making them ineligible. "Trevor and his guys did a great job of rising to the occasion," Love said.

Tony Finau won five of the last nine holes to defeat Canada's Taylor Pendrith 3&amp;1 and lift the Americans within a point of clinching the&nbsp;Cup. "I fought as hard as I've ever fought in a match," Finau said. "You just have to get the job done." Jordan Spieth, winless in seven prior Ryder and&nbsp;Presidents&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;singles matches, became only the sixth player to go 5-0 in a single&nbsp;Presidents&nbsp;Cup, winning four holes in a row late to defeat Australia's Cam Davis 4&amp;3 for the first US point.

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"I was extra nervous," Spieth said. "I wanted to get that monkey off my back. They are looking for red on the board and it feels really good to finally provide that. "You can't put a price on this. I did as much as I could this week."

Patrick Cantlay never trailed in beating Australia's Adam Scott 3&amp;2 for the second US point. Cantlay went 3-up after four holes and Scott,&nbsp;Cup-less in 10 tries, was never nearer than 2-down after that. Sam Burns finished the week winless but helped the US cause by tying Japan's Hideki Matsuyama.

<h2>- Thomas, Scheffler lose -</h2>

The global stars pulled off two early upsets to delay the US party. South Korea's&nbsp;Kim Si-woo beat Justin Thomas 1-up, the American falling to 0-3 in career&nbsp;Presidents&nbsp;Cup&nbsp;singles. Thomas, who went 4-0 with Spieth in pairs, lost after Kim sank a 10-foot birdie putt at 18 and Thomas missed his from three inches closer.

"I believed I could do it and I did it," Kim said. "I've never (felt) this pressure. Real hard match. I kept the pressure to him and kept positive and that's why it worked."

Thomas won the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow and his second major at this year's PGA. Colombian Sebastian Munoz beat top-ranked Scottie Scheffler 2&amp;1, the Masters champion going 0-3-1 this week, worst mark of any world number one in a&nbsp;Presidents&nbsp;Cup.

"It was tough," Munoz said. "It was one of the best things I've ever achieved in my life. It took everything. I threw everything at him." In post-clinch finishes, South Korea's Im Sung-jae beat Cameron Young 1-up, Lee Kyoung-hoon downed Billy Horschel 3&amp;1, Max Homa beat South Korea's Kim Joo-hyung 1-up, Collin Morikawa defeated Chile's Mito Pereira 3&amp;2 and South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout downed Kevin Kisner 2&amp;1.\

The United States won the Presidents Cup for a ninth consecutive time on Sunday with Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele delivering the clinching point in a 17.

The United States won the Presidents Cup for a ninth consecutive time on Sunday with Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele delivering the clinching point in a 17.5-12.5 triumph over the Internationals. Schauffele never trailed in defeating Canada's Corey Conners 1-up, sinking a three-foot par putt at the 18th hole to lift the US squad to 15.5 points and seal the overall triumph at Quail Hollow. "It feels good to win," Schauffele said. "It got pretty close there for a little bit. Winning is winning." The Americans, who led 11-7 entering the 12 final singles matches, improved to 12-1-1 in the all-time rivalry and have never lost on home soil. "They played great," US captain Davis Love said. "It was hard. They put in a lot of effort the last three weeks. They came in ready to go." Conners, winless for the week, missed a five-foot par putt at 17 to keep Schauffele 1-up. At 18, Schauffele dropped his third shot three feet from the hole and, after Conners missed his third from a bunker, rolled in the deciding putt to tie the hole, win the match and set off a US celebration. "I was handed the opportunity and I was able to take advantage of it," Schauffele said. The Internationals couldn't make the greatest last-day comeback in Presidents Cup history and haven't lifted the trophy since 1998. "We're a little disappointed," Internationals captain Trevor Immelman said. "We believed in ourselves. "We had an amazing week. They were fighting. These guys have massive hearts. I'll go into battle with them any day." With 10 of the world's 16 top-ranked players, the US team was a heavy favorite over a global side that lost British Open champion Cam Smith and several other top players who jumped from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf, making them ineligible. "Trevor and his guys did a great job of rising to the occasion," Love said. Tony Finau won five of the last nine holes to defeat Canada's Taylor Pendrith 3&1 and lift the Americans within a point of clinching the Cup. "I fought as hard as I've ever fought in a match," Finau said. "You just have to get the job done." Jordan Spieth, winless in seven prior Ryder and Presidents Cup singles matches, became only the sixth player to go 5-0 in a single Presidents Cup, winning four holes in a row late to defeat Australia's Cam Davis 4&3 for the first US point. ALSO READ | Scrappy Internationals stun US to leave Presidents Cup up for grabs "I was extra nervous," Spieth said. "I wanted to get that monkey off my back. They are looking for red on the board and it feels really good to finally provide that. "You can't put a price on this. I did as much as I could this week." Patrick Cantlay never trailed in beating Australia's Adam Scott 3&2 for the second US point. Cantlay went 3-up after four holes and Scott, Cup-less in 10 tries, was never nearer than 2-down after that. Sam Burns finished the week winless but helped the US cause by tying Japan's Hideki Matsuyama. - Thomas, Scheffler lose - The global stars pulled off two early upsets to delay the US party. South Korea's Kim Si-woo beat Justin Thomas 1-up, the American falling to 0-3 in career Presidents Cup singles. Thomas, who went 4-0 with Spieth in pairs, lost after Kim sank a 10-foot birdie putt at 18 and Thomas missed his from three inches closer. "I believed I could do it and I did it," Kim said. "I've never (felt) this pressure. Real hard match. I kept the pressure to him and kept positive and that's why it worked." Thomas won the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow and his second major at this year's PGA. Colombian Sebastian Munoz beat top-ranked Scottie Scheffler 2&1, the Masters champion going 0-3-1 this week, worst mark of any world number one in a Presidents Cup. "It was tough," Munoz said. "It was one of the best things I've ever achieved in my life. It took everything. I threw everything at him." In post-clinch finishes, South Korea's Im Sung-jae beat Cameron Young 1-up, Lee Kyoung-hoon downed Billy Horschel 3&1, Max Homa beat South Korea's Kim Joo-hyung 1-up, Collin Morikawa defeated Chile's Mito Pereira 3&2 and South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout downed Kevin Kisner 2&1.\

United States secures ninth successive Presidents Cup

Justin Thomas and Cameron Young sank clutch putts and the United States blunted a back-nine fightback to lead the Internationals 4-1 after Thursday's opening Presidents Cup matches. The Americans dominated early then held on in foursomes (alternate shot) matches at Quail Hollow, stretching their Presidents Cup win streak in the format to 16 sessions since 2005.

Thomas sank a 27-foot par putt to win the crucial 15th hole to give him and Jordan Spieth a 2&amp;1 triumph over Corey Conners and Im Sung-jae. Young sank a 26-foot birdie putt to win the 17th as he and Collin Morikawa beat South Koreans Lee Kyoung-hoon and Kim Joo-hyung 2&amp;1.

"We had some matches that we played really solid and some that were really a grind," US captain Davis Love said. "A great start, a lot of heart." The Americans lead the all-time rivalry 11-1-1 and have never lost on home soil, having won the past eight consecutive Cups. Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and 2021 PGA Tour playoffs winner Patrick Cantlay ripped Masters winners Hideki Matsuyama of Japan and Adam Scott of Australia 6&amp;5 in the opener. But the other matches were tight to the finish, with South Korean Kim Si-woo and Australian Cameron Davis winning the last four holes in a 2-up victory over top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns.

"We hung in there. We got off to a tough start and were behind the 8-ball early," said Internationals captain Trevor Immelman. "We're going to have to find a way to make a few putts in the next few days. But we'll hang in there. That's what we do. We'll never quit." Max Homa and Tony Finau won 1-up over Canada's Taylor Pendrith and Chile's Mito Pereira after Pendrith missed a 10-foot par putt at 18. It took 99 minutes to crack par for the Internationals, who quickly fell behind in every match but grinded back. "We're going to learn a lot," said Canada's Conners. "I think we're going to be just as hungry to get back out there."

The Americans are huge favorites with 10 of the world's 16 top-ranked players to none for an International roster decimated by defections to the LIV&nbsp;Golf&nbsp;Series. World number four Schauffele and fifth-ranked Cantlay won the fifth through seventh holes with birdies for a 4-up lead and took the last three holes with pars.

"We felt like the wind was picking up so we told each other to ball-strike the heck out of this place and that's what we did," said Schauffele. Schauffele and Cantlay rose to 5-0 in foursomes at Ryder and Presidents Cup. They also won this year's PGA pairs event in New Orleans.

"We just feel really comfortable and confident playing together," Cantlay said. "To make no bogeys it was really good&nbsp;golf." Spieth and Thomas stayed unbeaten in Cup foursomes. They went 3-up after six but Im's 14-foot birdie putt to win the ninth trimmed it to 1-up. "It was a big grind," Spieth said.

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<h2>- 'Exactly what we needed' -</h2>

Thomas sank his clutch putt at 15, Quail Hollow's closing hole when he won the 2017 PGA Championship but moved this week to produce thrills. Thomas did, pumping his fist and screaming, "That's what I'm talking about," before two final tied holes sealed victory.

"It was huge," Thomas said. "It was great. It was exactly what we needed kind of thing." Young holed a 24-foot birdie putt to win the sixth but a Lee birdie at 12 tied the match. Morikawa's approach landed inches from the cup at 13 to set up a birdie to restore the US lead ahead of Young's winning putt. "It was awesome," Young said.

Reigning Masters champion Scheffler and Burns were 2-up after 14 but Kim Si-woo and Davis took the lead when Davis dropped his approach at 17 inside four feet and Kim sank the birdie putt, then won 18 when Scheffler missed a 12-footer for par. "We had a brutal first nine," Kim said. "We played nervously but we tried to fight back." Davis said of his heroics at 17: "It was the first time all day a shot come off like I wanted and it came at a perfect time."

Justin Thomas and Cameron Young sank clutch putts and the United States blunted a back-nine fightback to lead the Internationals 4-1 after Thursday's opening Presidents Cup matches.

Justin Thomas and Cameron Young sank clutch putts and the United States blunted a back-nine fightback to lead the Internationals 4-1 after Thursday's opening Presidents Cup matches. The Americans dominated early then held on in foursomes (alternate shot) matches at Quail Hollow, stretching their Presidents Cup win streak in the format to 16 sessions since 2005. Thomas sank a 27-foot par putt to win the crucial 15th hole to give him and Jordan Spieth a 2&1 triumph over Corey Conners and Im Sung-jae. Young sank a 26-foot birdie putt to win the 17th as he and Collin Morikawa beat South Koreans Lee Kyoung-hoon and Kim Joo-hyung 2&1. "We had some matches that we played really solid and some that were really a grind," US captain Davis Love said. "A great start, a lot of heart." The Americans lead the all-time rivalry 11-1-1 and have never lost on home soil, having won the past eight consecutive Cups. Tokyo Olympic champion Xander Schauffele and 2021 PGA Tour playoffs winner Patrick Cantlay ripped Masters winners Hideki Matsuyama of Japan and Adam Scott of Australia 6&5 in the opener. But the other matches were tight to the finish, with South Korean Kim Si-woo and Australian Cameron Davis winning the last four holes in a 2-up victory over top-ranked Scottie Scheffler and Sam Burns. "We hung in there. We got off to a tough start and were behind the 8-ball early," said Internationals captain Trevor Immelman. "We're going to have to find a way to make a few putts in the next few days. But we'll hang in there. That's what we do. We'll never quit." Max Homa and Tony Finau won 1-up over Canada's Taylor Pendrith and Chile's Mito Pereira after Pendrith missed a 10-foot par putt at 18. It took 99 minutes to crack par for the Internationals, who quickly fell behind in every match but grinded back. "We're going to learn a lot," said Canada's Conners. "I think we're going to be just as hungry to get back out there." The Americans are huge favorites with 10 of the world's 16 top-ranked players to none for an International roster decimated by defections to the LIV Golf Series. World number four Schauffele and fifth-ranked Cantlay won the fifth through seventh holes with birdies for a 4-up lead and took the last three holes with pars. "We felt like the wind was picking up so we told each other to ball-strike the heck out of this place and that's what we did," said Schauffele. Schauffele and Cantlay rose to 5-0 in foursomes at Ryder and Presidents Cup. They also won this year's PGA pairs event in New Orleans. "We just feel really comfortable and confident playing together," Cantlay said. "To make no bogeys it was really good golf." Spieth and Thomas stayed unbeaten in Cup foursomes. They went 3-up after six but Im's 14-foot birdie putt to win the ninth trimmed it to 1-up. "It was a big grind," Spieth said. ALSO READ | Deeper resolve for global Presidents Cup side following LIV losses - 'Exactly what we needed' - Thomas sank his clutch putt at 15, Quail Hollow's closing hole when he won the 2017 PGA Championship but moved this week to produce thrills. Thomas did, pumping his fist and screaming, "That's what I'm talking about," before two final tied holes sealed victory. "It was huge," Thomas said. "It was great. It was exactly what we needed kind of thing." Young holed a 24-foot birdie putt to win the sixth but a Lee birdie at 12 tied the match. Morikawa's approach landed inches from the cup at 13 to set up a birdie to restore the US lead ahead of Young's winning putt. "It was awesome," Young said. Reigning Masters champion Scheffler and Burns were 2-up after 14 but Kim Si-woo and Davis took the lead when Davis dropped his approach at 17 inside four feet and Kim sank the birdie putt, then won 18 when Scheffler missed a 12-footer for par. "We had a brutal first nine," Kim said. "We played nervously but we tried to fight back." Davis said of his heroics at 17: "It was the first time all day a shot come off like I wanted and it came at a perfect time."

Americans take 4-1 lead on Internationals at Presidents Cup

Internationals captain Trevor Immelman says losing several top players to LIV&nbsp;Golf&nbsp;has deepened the determination of the players who will compete against the United States at the Presidents Cup. Having worked with more than two dozen players over the past 18 months, Immelman hopes the lost talent might help create a tighter bond among the players who will tee off starting Thursday in the team showdown at Quail Hollow.

"Strengthened our team from a resolve standpoint," Immelman said. "The 12 that are here, they are the ones that remained loyal, stayed with our team, wanted to play in the Presidents Cup and those are the guys I want to fight with."

The Americans lead the all-time rivalry 11-1-1, having won eight in a row. Their only loss came at Melbourne in 1998. The Internationals were seen as a serious threat to win on US soil for the first time before losing several top players to the Saudi-backed LIV&nbsp;Golf&nbsp;Series.

British Open winner Cameron Smith, the world number three from Australia, Chile's Joaquin Niemann, South African Louis Oosthuizen, Mexico's Abraham Ancer and Aussie Marc Leishman were the top names who jumped to LIV, bringing indefinite bans from the PGA and banishment from Presidents Cup consideration. "There's a tension and strife in the game right now," US captain Davis Love said.

Immelman still has five top-30 players in past Masters champions Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama, South Korean stars Kim Joo-hyung and Im Sung-jae and Canada's Corey Conners. But the diminished global squad is seen as a severe underdog against a mighty US lineup with 12 of the world's 25 top-ranked players, 11 of them in the top 18.&nbsp;

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And that's with eighth-ranked Will Zalatoris injured and several US stars joining LIV, including Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau. "We're really happy with the 12 we've got," Love said. "There's no talk in our team room of anybody missing."

But&nbsp;golf&nbsp;fans will never know if a full Internationals lineup might have challenged the Americans. "We can't run from it," Immelman said. "It has been a real tough time. It was sad and disappointing to have to go through that. It has been tough to see. "All those players knew what the repercussions would be if they went over to the other tour. Everybody knew where they stood." Immelman said he got the bad news directly from players and was kept in the loop as they decided on LIV. "Am I disappointed they won't all be here? Absolutely," Immelman said. "Now we get to go up against a strong American team. we're looking forward."

Immelman said nothing came of talk to make his team an organization to allow LIV players, saying, "When you look under the hood... it's not really a viable option."

Camaraderie among best -

Immelman's plight had some sympathy from US star Justin Thomas, who won his second PGA Championship in May. "It's just an unfortunate situation for him. It's not fair," Thomas said. "It's tough. We didn't want it. He didn't want it. It's a bummer. "But he has put together a very strong team, camaraderie-wise one of the best they've had." Unifying talent from across the planet have been the achievement, Immelman said.

"You're blending seven or eight cultures and trying to get everybody in their sweet spot," he said. "It has been tricky and something we've worked really hard on over the last three or four years. "We're starting to get there slowly but surely, so now it's much more about how those two players can blend together and their games would then match up with the&nbsp;golf&nbsp;course."

Internationals captain Trevor Immelman says losing several top players to LIV Golf has deepened the determination of the players who will compete against the United States at the Presidents Cup.

Internationals captain Trevor Immelman says losing several top players to LIV Golf has deepened the determination of the players who will compete against the United States at the Presidents Cup. Having worked with more than two dozen players over the past 18 months, Immelman hopes the lost talent might help create a tighter bond among the players who will tee off starting Thursday in the team showdown at Quail Hollow. "Strengthened our team from a resolve standpoint," Immelman said. "The 12 that are here, they are the ones that remained loyal, stayed with our team, wanted to play in the Presidents Cup and those are the guys I want to fight with." The Americans lead the all-time rivalry 11-1-1, having won eight in a row. Their only loss came at Melbourne in 1998. The Internationals were seen as a serious threat to win on US soil for the first time before losing several top players to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series. British Open winner Cameron Smith, the world number three from Australia, Chile's Joaquin Niemann, South African Louis Oosthuizen, Mexico's Abraham Ancer and Aussie Marc Leishman were the top names who jumped to LIV, bringing indefinite bans from the PGA and banishment from Presidents Cup consideration. "There's a tension and strife in the game right now," US captain Davis Love said. Immelman still has five top-30 players in past Masters champions Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama, South Korean stars Kim Joo-hyung and Im Sung-jae and Canada's Corey Conners. But the diminished global squad is seen as a severe underdog against a mighty US lineup with 12 of the world's 25 top-ranked players, 11 of them in the top 18. ALSO READ | 'Unfortunately, I cannot speak on that': Magnus Carlsen refuses to clarify cheating claims And that's with eighth-ranked Will Zalatoris injured and several US stars joining LIV, including Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Bryson DeChambeau. "We're really happy with the 12 we've got," Love said. "There's no talk in our team room of anybody missing." But golf fans will never know if a full Internationals lineup might have challenged the Americans. "We can't run from it," Immelman said. "It has been a real tough time. It was sad and disappointing to have to go through that. It has been tough to see. "All those players knew what the repercussions would be if they went over to the other tour. Everybody knew where they stood." Immelman said he got the bad news directly from players and was kept in the loop as they decided on LIV. "Am I disappointed they won't all be here? Absolutely," Immelman said. "Now we get to go up against a strong American team. we're looking forward." Immelman said nothing came of talk to make his team an organization to allow LIV players, saying, "When you look under the hood... it's not really a viable option." Camaraderie among best - Immelman's plight had some sympathy from US star Justin Thomas, who won his second PGA Championship in May. "It's just an unfortunate situation for him. It's not fair," Thomas said. "It's tough. We didn't want it. He didn't want it. It's a bummer. "But he has put together a very strong team, camaraderie-wise one of the best they've had." Unifying talent from across the planet have been the achievement, Immelman said. "You're blending seven or eight cultures and trying to get everybody in their sweet spot," he said. "It has been tricky and something we've worked really hard on over the last three or four years. "We're starting to get there slowly but surely, so now it's much more about how those two players can blend together and their games would then match up with the golf course."

Deeper resolve for global Presidents Cup side following LIV losses

Saudi Arabia has never been part of the Presidents Cup, which every two years pits the best golfers from the United States against the best from the rest of world -- except Europe.

But this week at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit will be in the middle of the action, as the feud between it and the PGA Tour continues to escalate, impacting both teams.

The PGA Tour organises the Presidents Cup while LIV Golf, bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has been busy poaching players, luring away some of golf's biggest names with staggering sums of money.

In retaliation the PGA Tour has suspended anyone jumping to the rebel circuit and the result is both sides will be missing key players when play gets underway on Thursday.

The U.S. will be without the services of LIV defectors and major winners Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.

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LIV Golf's number one recruit six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, who has played in more Presidents Cups (12) and more matches (55) than anyone else, would likely not have made the squad on merit but almost certainly would have found a place in a non-playing role as an ambassador or co-captain.

Their absence will have minimal impact on a powerhouse American lineup that still includes three of the top five in the world rankings, led by number one Scottie Scheffler.

The 12-man International squad, however, cannot come close to matching the deep U.S. talent pool and the loss of world number three, Australian Cameron Smith, the Open and Players championship winner this year, is a huge blow to their hopes of lifting the Presidents Cup for just the second time.

South African Louis Oosthuizen, Chile's Joaquin Niemann and Mexico's Abraham Ancer are also unavailable to International captain Trevor Immelman, who has called up a record eight Presidents Cup debutants.

Australian Adam Scott, playing his 10th Presidents Cup and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama his fifth are the only members of the squad to have played in more than one event.

In 13 previous Presidents Cups the International team has just one victory, coming in 1998 when the event was staged in Australia.

Every other Presidents Cup has gone to the United States with the exception of 2003 in South Africa that ended in a draw.

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The last time the U.S. staged the event in 2017 at Liberty National they charged into a 14-3 1/2 lead going into the Sunday singles and coasted to a 19-11 victory.

Having home advantage once again and 40,000 boisterous fans backing them, there are fears that an inexperienced International team could be in for a humiliating thrashing at Quail Hollow.

"We'll be representing underdogs all over the world in every facet of life," conceded Immelman. "Whether it be business or sport or kids at school.

"We look forward to the Presidents Cup every time.

"Over the years you look at the history books, everybody knows we've had our butts kicked, but that doesn't mean we'll come with any less passion and compete to try and win."

Saudi Arabia has never been part of the Presidents Cup, which every two years pits the best golfers from the United States against the best from the rest of world -- except Europe.

Saudi Arabia has never been part of the Presidents Cup, which every two years pits the best golfers from the United States against the best from the rest of world -- except Europe. But this week at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit will be in the middle of the action, as the feud between it and the PGA Tour continues to escalate, impacting both teams. The PGA Tour organises the Presidents Cup while LIV Golf, bankrolled by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has been busy poaching players, luring away some of golf's biggest names with staggering sums of money. In retaliation the PGA Tour has suspended anyone jumping to the rebel circuit and the result is both sides will be missing key players when play gets underway on Thursday. The U.S. will be without the services of LIV defectors and major winners Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. Also Read: Lithuania's Aleksandr Sorokin runs 319.6 km in 24 hours to set new world record LIV Golf's number one recruit six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, who has played in more Presidents Cups (12) and more matches (55) than anyone else, would likely not have made the squad on merit but almost certainly would have found a place in a non-playing role as an ambassador or co-captain. Their absence will have minimal impact on a powerhouse American lineup that still includes three of the top five in the world rankings, led by number one Scottie Scheffler. The 12-man International squad, however, cannot come close to matching the deep U.S. talent pool and the loss of world number three, Australian Cameron Smith, the Open and Players championship winner this year, is a huge blow to their hopes of lifting the Presidents Cup for just the second time. South African Louis Oosthuizen, Chile's Joaquin Niemann and Mexico's Abraham Ancer are also unavailable to International captain Trevor Immelman, who has called up a record eight Presidents Cup debutants. Australian Adam Scott, playing his 10th Presidents Cup and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama his fifth are the only members of the squad to have played in more than one event. In 13 previous Presidents Cups the International team has just one victory, coming in 1998 when the event was staged in Australia. Every other Presidents Cup has gone to the United States with the exception of 2003 in South Africa that ended in a draw. Also Read: Roger Federer doubtful to take part in farewell Laver Cup tournament, will make a last-minute decision The last time the U.S. staged the event in 2017 at Liberty National they charged into a 14-3 1/2 lead going into the Sunday singles and coasted to a 19-11 victory. Having home advantage once again and 40,000 boisterous fans backing them, there are fears that an inexperienced International team could be in for a humiliating thrashing at Quail Hollow. "We'll be representing underdogs all over the world in every facet of life," conceded Immelman. "Whether it be business or sport or kids at school. "We look forward to the Presidents Cup every time. "Over the years you look at the history books, everybody knows we've had our butts kicked, but that doesn't mean we'll come with any less passion and compete to try and win."

No LIV players but rebel circuit set to dominate Presidents Cup