HOME TOUR; Liv Golf Presidential Cup in Chicago This Weekend

Joaquin Niemann may be going head-to-head with Jon Rahm this weekend for LIV Golf’s individual title in Chicago, but his mind is also on the Presidents Cup. 

Niemann, like all breakaway tour players, is prohibited from playing the biennial contest because the Cup falls under the banner of the PGA Tour.

“It sucks,” Niemann told reporters in Chicago about not being part of Mike Weir’s International team which will duke it out with Jim Furyk’s Team USA at the end of the month in Canada.

“I would love to be on that team. It’s supposed to be the best golfers around the world and they’re not doing that right now.”

“I do believe we have a strong team, but it could be an even stronger team. I’d love to see the Americans lose.”

Niemann has a fair point that Weir’s side could be stronger.

The International side will be without major champions Louis Oosthuizen and Cameron Smith.

Dean Burmester is also in fine form, too, having won his maiden LIV event earlier in the year and also claimed back-to-back titles on the DP World Tour.

Instead, the International side will lean on the experienced Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott and Jason Day.

As for Furyk’s team, they are undoubtedly the least impacted by the off-course bickering.

Despite coming in for some criticism with his captain’s picks, Furyk has Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, Wyndham Clark and Sahith Theegala at his disposal.

The 2024 Presidents Cup will be played over 27-29 September at Royal Montreal Golf Club in Quebec.

Overall, the U.S. has a record of 12-1-1.