The Presidents Cup Returns to Montreal Without Key Players

The highly anticipated Presidents Cup is set to return to Montreal, Canada, this September. Team USA is aiming for its 10th consecutive victory against the International Team in this prestigious biennial golf event. However, this year’s competition will see notable absences, as several star players, including Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau, are set to miss out.

The exclusion of these players is due to PGA Tour sanctions that prevent any player associated with LIV Golf from participating. Consequently, both Team USA, led by captain Jim Furyk, and the International Team, captained by Mike Weir, will be without some of their top talents. Weir expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s just an unfortunate situation that we’re in right now, and they are not eligible as of now. I’ve been told they’re not eligible, they’re not going to be eligible. And hopefully going forward, maybe in Chicago in 2026, they are. It is a shame. I mean, we want the best players.”

### Major Absentees

**Dustin Johnson**
Dustin Johnson, a two-time major champion and a key player in team competitions, will not be competing. Johnson, who secured both the individual and team titles with his 4Aces in 2022, last played in the Presidents Cup in 2019. His commitment to LIV Golf has made him ineligible for the event again this year, just as it did in 2022.

**Bryson DeChambeau**
Bryson DeChambeau, another prominent American golfer and captain of the Crushers, also faces the same fate. DeChambeau, who played a crucial role in Team USA’s 2019 victory, is unable to participate due to his affiliation with LIV Golf and subsequent PGA Tour suspension. Despite his impressive win at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, DeChambeau’s LIV membership bars him from joining Furyk’s team.

**Brooks Koepka**
Brooks Koepka, widely regarded as one of the greatest golfers of his generation, is also absent from this year’s roster. Koepka, who has played in just one Presidents Cup for Team USA in 2017, is ineligible due to his involvement with LIV Golf.

**Cam Smith**
The International Team is notably weakened by the absence of Cam Smith, a former Open champion. Smith, who made his sole Presidents Cup appearance in 2019 at Royal Melbourne, was expected to lead the International Team towards their first victory against the USA since 1998. However, his move to LIV Golf in 2022 disqualified him from this year’s event, leaving a significant gap in Weir’s lineup.

**Joaquin Niemann**
Joaquin Niemann, a rising star from Chile, is another significant loss for the International Team. Niemann, who has been in exceptional form with victories in Mayakoba and Jeddah, is leading the LIV standings this season. His performance would have undoubtedly secured him a spot on the team, but his eligibility issues prevent his participation. Niemann previously competed in the 2019 Presidents Cup in Australia.

As the Presidents Cup returns to Montreal, the absence of these key players highlights the ongoing impact of the LIV Golf controversy on the world of professional golf. Both teams will have to adapt and find new strengths to compete at their best without some of their star players.