NEW YORK • World No. 1 Dustin Johnson and Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama will spearhead the United States and International team line-ups at the Presidents Cup later this month, it was confirmed on Tuesday.
With the conclusion of the Dell Technologies Championship on Monday, the 10 automatic qualifiers for the two teams are confirmed for the Ryder Cup-style event to be held at Liberty National in New Jersey from Sept 28 to Oct 1.
The powerful US challenge will be led by Johnson, with three-time Major champion Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, PGA champion Justin Thomas and US Open winner Brooks Koepka all providing heavyweight support.
Daniel Berger, Kevin Kisner, Patrick Reed, Matt Kuchar and Kevin Chappell complete the 10 confirmed players in the US line-up.
Five US players are making their Presidents Cup debut this year - Thomas, 24, Berger, 24, Koepka, 27, Kisner, 33, and Chappell, 31.
Chappell will also return to a place where he holds the course record with a nine-under 62 at The Barclays in 2013.
"It's a place I feel comfortable," he said. "I look forward to embracing the crowds, embracing the fans, and making sure that the flag flies high at Liberty National."
Phil Mickelson, who has played in a record 11 Presidents Cup events, is among those who will be hoping for a wild card from US captain Steve Stricker.
World No. 3 Matsuyama heads a talented International team which draws players from Japan, Australia, South Africa, South Korea, Venezuela and Canada.
World No. 9 Jason Day leads the Australian contingent which includes Adam Scott and Marc Leishman.
South Africa is represented by Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Branden Grace, while Kim Si Woo flies the flag for South Korea.
Jhonattan Vegas of Venezuela and Canada's Adam Hadwin complete the initial list.
Nick Price of Zimbabwe is the skipper for the International side.
Hadwin will be playing in the Presidents Cup for the first time, along with Kim, 22, and Vegas, 33.
"It's huge to make the International team. I've been speaking about the Presidents Cup all week that it's been in the forefront of my mind," the 29-year-old Hadwin said.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
