Being the only South American player on the US Presidents Cup international team is a privilege for the Bogotá native Juan Sebastian Munozwho will also be the vice-captain, Antioquia Camilo Villegas.
This is the first time two Colombian players have represented the world at this important semi-annual golf event and the second time it has carried our flag, as Villegas was a player in San Francisco in 2009, without being able to win a single game.
Muñoz was chosen by Captain Trevor Immelman to be part of the twelve golfers who will compete against the local team.
In the 14th edition of this tournament, the Colombian Golf Federation reviewed, the dominance of the locals was complete, with 11 wins, eight of them in a row, over one from the rest of the world, and one draw.
Together with Muñoz they will be in the international team Hideki Matsuyama, Tom Kim, Songjae M, Corey Conners, Mito Pereira, Adam Scott, Taylor Pendrith, Sei Woo Kim, Cam Davis, Christian Bezudenhout and KH Lee.
Emmelman’s “crew” will include Camilo Villegas, KJ Choi, Jeff Ogilvy and Mike Weir as assistants.
It should be remembered that Muñoz and Nicolás Echavarría of Antioquia are the only Colombians to have full status for the regular PGA season, while Villegas may be in some tournaments as guest golf.
US Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas, Xander Shaveli, Cameron Young, Colin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth, Sam Burns, Scotty Scheffler, Tony Finau, Billy Hurschel, Kevin Kesner and Max Homma will be at work Thursday. Captain Davis Love III will work alongside Fred Coples, Zack Johnson, Steve Stryker and Webb Simpson.
More Colombians at work
On the other hand, the Q-School “Phase One” continues to the Korn Ferry Tour.
The best national in this competition is Barranquilla’s Ricardo Celia, who remains fourth on the Florida board.
A fresh round of 68 shots (-3 par on the course) at Champions Gate Golf Club in Florida left Celia in the top five in this rating with a total (-6), three shots behind captain Abel Gallegos.
Finally, the South American pre-youth team of Paraguay of Colombia took second place in the two categories table.
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