Internationals huge underdogs to US squad in Presidents Cup

An Internationals squad severely weakened by defections to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series will be a massive underdog to a powerhouse United States lineup in next week's Presidents Cup.

Internationals captain Trevor Immelman watched as his projected roster was decimated by defections from the PGA to LIV Golf, barring them from the biennial team matches.

Australia's Cameron Smith, the world number three and British Open champion, Chile's Joaquin Niemann, Mexico's Abraham Ancer, South African Louis Oosthuizen, Aussies Marc Leishman and Matt Jones and India's Anirban Lahiri were suddenly off the table for the global squad.

"Our team has had a lot of adversity thrown at us over the last year or so, but adversity makes you stronger," Immelman said. "The 12 guys have worked their butts off. They thoroughly deserve their position. I'm extremely proud of them."

Masters winners Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott lead an Internationals lineup with eight rookies against an American squad with 12 of the world's 26 top-ranked players, including world number one Scottie Scheffler, starting Thursday at Quail Hollow.

"We understand exactly the mountain that we have in front of us -- possibly the best American team ever assembled," Immelman said. "We'll be representing underdogs all over the world."

The Americans lead the all-time rivalry 11-1-1 with eight triumphs in a row and have never lost on home soil.

"We've got the opportunity to be that team that finally gets it done in the US," Australian Cam Davis said. "It would be a massive moment and we're all hungry for that."

The US team won 16-14 at the most recent Presidents Cup in 2019 at Melbourne.

"I don't think we have to do too much motivation. It was a little closer than we wanted last time