MELBOURNE (AFP) – International team captain Ernie Els on Sunday picked Australian Geoff Ogilvy to be one of his assistants for next year’s Presidents Cup at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
The South African is in the city to ‘‘scout’’ the course layout a year out from the tournament and said he was determined to release America’s stranglehold on the event, with Ogilvy’s local knowledge a key asset.
‘‘Geoff is the perfect selection for our team,’’ Els said on the sidelines of the World Cup at Melbourne’s Metropolitan Golf Club.
‘‘His love for the Presidents Cup is only matched by his love for Australia and the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.’’
Ogilvy was a member of the losing International team at Royal Melbourne – Australia’s oldest golf club – in 2011, along with Els.
‘‘Playing in the Presidents Cup is a highlight of my career,’’ said the Australian, who was also an assistant at the 2017 event to captain Nick Price.
‘‘It will be special to return in front of the best sports fans at one of the greatest courses in the world.’’
