Ogilvy Banks On Experience With Bezuidenhout Presidents Cup Selection
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 29: International Team Captain, Geoff Ogilvy, poses with the Presidents Cup at Cindy’s Rooftop restaurant, on April 28, 2025, in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
PGA TOUR
The lineups are set as U.S. Captain Bryant Shneadeker and International Captain Geoff Ogilvy make their six picks for the Presidents Cup.
The International team is considered an underdog this year, and with a record of one win, one tie and 13 losses, they have an uphill battle.
Ogilvy’s six selections hope to bolster a strong team with other worldwide talents. Si Woo Kim, Hideki Matsuyama, Ryan Fox, Tom Kim, Min Woo Lee and Adam Scott were automatic selections based on rankings. Ogilvy selected Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Corey Conners, Nico Echavarria, Sungjae Im, Ryo Hisatsune and Nick Taylor to join the team.
Bezuidenhout comes as the biggest surprise. The two-time Presidents Cup player had two top-10 finishes this year, one at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic and the other at the Puerto Rico Open. This was a year about consistency. Bezuidenhout played in 21 events, making 18 cuts.
“Christiaan has experience in this event that would have been difficult to leave on the table. He’s earned 3.5 points in five matches, including two Singles victories. He knows what to expect and he delivers. That’s why I’ve selected him,” Ogilvy said on PGATour.com.
Bezuidenhout can score. Despite his finishes, he ranks 24th in Strokes Gained: Total. It puts him ahead of teammates Min Woo Lee, Scott, Hisatsune, Im, Fox, Conners, Echavarria and Taylor.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC – SEPTEMBER 27: A general view of the Presidents Cup trophy as Christiaan Bezuidenhout of the International Team hits a tee shot on the first hole during Friday’s Foursomes matches on day two of the 2024 Presidents Cup at The Royal Montreal Golf Club on September 27, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Chris Condon/PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
PGA Tour
In other game formats like Four-ball, Foursomes and Match Play, there is a premium placed on birdies, approach play and putting. Bezuidenhout ranked 26th in approach and 16th in putting, and 38th in total birdies.
“I was on the bubble as far as getting the call, whether I was in or out. To get the call from Geoff was awesome,” Bezuidenhout said in an interview with Golf Channel. “You’re not playing for your captain, your assistant captain, your country and The Shield.”
Bezuidenhout has played well for his team. In his previous two Presidents Cups, he has a record of 3-1-1 overall and 2-0 in singles. Ogilvy spoke about his previous record and the energy he brings to the team, which were key contributing factors in his selection.
“The record and the personality, absolutely,” Ogilvy said during the same interview.
Bezuidenhout will be met with a new foe this year. His two wins in match play came against Kevin Kisner in 2022 and Brian Harman in 2024. It is unlikely they will put Bezuidenhout across from world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, but he will prove a worthy adversary against much of the U.S. team.
Timothy is a founding member of Break80 Golf and a contributing golf and sports writer for Forbes with PGA Tour and LIV Golf media credentials. Timothy can be reached at break80podcast@gmail.com for inquiries or story leads.
