MELBOURNE, Sept 10 (Askume) – Joaquin Niemann has criticised the Presidents Cup ban on LIV golfers, saying it will prevent the best players from taking part in this month’s team event at Royal Montreal.
Unlike last year’s Ryder Cup, which was hosted in Rome by LIV player Brooks Koepka, the biennial event pits the U.S. against international players and will not feature any players from Saudi Arabia.
The PGA Tour, which hosts the Presidents Cup, banned LIV players from participating in its events after launching a breakaway tour in 2022.
“It’s too bad. I would love to be on that team,” Chile’s Niemann told reporters on a conference call on Tuesday.
“After all, this is a tournament for the best golfers in the world, but he didn’t do that.
“I think they have a strong team (internationally), but it could be an even stronger team,” said Niemann, who trails Jon Rahm in LIV’s individual player rankings.
“Of course, I would love to see the Americans lose.”
LIV had no players competing at the 2022 Presidents Cup at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, where hosts United States defeated Team International 17.5 to 12.5.
The PGA Tour, the Europe-based DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund announced a framework agreement last year that raised hopes of ending divisions in world golf.
The framework agreement expires at the end of 2023, and although negotiations are ongoing, no agreement has yet been reached.
The United States has won 12 of the 14 Presidents Cup events, with their only loss coming in 1998 at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia.
The 2024 edition will take place from 26 to 29 September.
