[Photo: Richard Heathcote]
We’re two days away from balls being in the air at the Presidents Cup and US captain Brandt Snedeker is already being second-guessed.
The idea of snubs are inherent to team events, particularly in the days after the match depending on the performance of captain’s picks with the benefit of hindsight. However, one of those snubs has become somewhat of an early-week storyline at Medinah. That’s thanks to J.J. Spaun, who captured the DP World Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship, last weekend.
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To be fair, Ryan Gerard was seemingly the guy with the best case for being aggrieved for being left off, especially since Spaun had to withdraw due to injury during the Tour Championship. But Spaun – who went 2-0-1 at the ’25 Ryder Cup – didn’t hide his disappointment with the decision in his victory at Wentworth, saying he was the “odd man out” and that it wasn’t due to his injury. “I played with a huge chip on my shoulder. I definitely had something to prove this week,” he admitted after winning. “Being left off the Presidents Cup team a couple weeks ago was very disappointing, and I wanted to prove that I deserve to be on that team. I took care of my business this week. So all the best to the team next week at Medinah and I’ll be watching.”
Which is why Spaun’s status was one of the first questions asked to Snedeker on Tuesday during the captain’s media conference. Snedeker was effusive with praise for Spaun’s performance, but believes he made the right call with his squad.
“First of all, I’m super-excited for J.J. What he did at Wentworth was impressive coming down the stretch. That was some great golf he played. I’m a huge J.J. Spaun fan,” Snedeker said. “Being captain, you have to make tough decisions unfortunately. We had 15 guys, 16 guys that we were really looking at. I’m looking at one of my vice-captains in the front row over here who had a really good chance of making this team. So you’re going to have to make these tough decisions.
“The best advice I got from all the captains I talked to and even coaches, you’ve got to trust your gut. My gut was telling me one thing. You’ve got to make those decisions. It’s tough. I feel awful for J.J. and I always will, because he’s a great dude and I love the guy to death.”
Snedeker went on to say “I know this was going to happen” and that the job of those who didn’t make the team was to “make me look like an idiot as quick as possible”.
“That’s why they’re the best golfers in the world. Give them something to go set their sights on, they’re going to do it,” Snedeker said. “I can’t wait to see J.J. get off to a great start next year, and I would be shocked if he’s not on the team in Ireland [for the 2027 Ryder Cup].”
