Choi Honoured to Continue Presidents Cup Role

Charlotte, North Carolina, United States: International Team Captain Trevor Immelman has named Korean KJ Choi, Canadian Mike Weir, Australian Geoff Ogilvy and Colombian Camilo Villegas as his four Captain’s Assistants for the 2022 Presidents Cup.

The foursome will join Immelman at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, from September 20-25.

Choi returns as an assistant for the third time after serving as Captain’s Assistant to Nick Price when the Presidents Cup made its debut in Korea in 2015, and to Ernie Els at Royal Melbourne in 2019. A three-time Presidents Cup competitor (2003, 2007, 2011), Choi owns a 6-8 overall record and posted a 3-2 mark in 2011 partnered with Ogilvy at Royal Melbourne. Most recently, the pair served as Captain’s Assistants alongside Immelman in 2019.

“It is an honour and a privilege to be selected again to be a part of the International Team as a Captain’s Assistant,” Choi said. “After knowing Trevor for so many years, it is clear to me that his passion and dedication will make for a remarkable captaincy, and it makes me proud to join him in Charlotte. I look forward to working together as a team to bring unity among our nationalities into a collective representation of the International Shield.”

Choi’s professional victories worldwide include eight PGA Tour titles, highlighted by his play-off win at The Players Championship in 2011. One of Asia’s most successful golfers, Choi spent 40 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).

“KJ has become an integral member of the International Team over the years, helping to define who we are as a whole,” Immelman said. “He is a fountain of knowledge, a calming presence behind the scenes, and commands an incredible amount of respect as one of the most decorated Asian golfers in history.”

Weir will make his third appearance as Captain’s Assistant after serving for Price in 2017 and in 2019 for Els. The Canadian competed in five Presidents Cups (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009) and was team-mates with Immelman in 2005 and 2007. Weir is 13-9-2 all-time at the Presidents Cup and one of five International Team members with 10 or more match wins.

“In addition to being Captain’s Assistants together in 2019 at Royal Melbourne, I have had the pleasure of being team-mates with Mike on two occasions, as well as playing together on Tour for many years,” Immelman said. “The history we share gives me complete confidence in stating that few people work harder than Mike. I can’t wait to see the impact he makes in those pivotal moments when leadership and tenacity are needed during the week.”

In 2007, the Presidents Cup was staged in Canada for the first time, with Weir delivering a 3-1-1 record highlighted by a one-up singles victory over Tiger Woods. Weir won eight times on the PGA Tour, including the 2003 Masters – one of three victories collected that season. The 51-year-old currently competes on PGA Tour Champions, notching his first victory at the 2021 Insperity Invitational.

"When I think of highlights in my career that really stand out to me, the Presidents Cup always makes the top of the list,” Weir said. “The camaraderie that continues to grow within this team is irreplaceable. We can all sense the momentum that is building, and it’s been exciting to see Trevor’s incredible dedication and focus on his role. I can’t wait to see what tournament week holds for us and to be a part of the 2022 team.”

Also set to make his third stint as Captain’s Assistant, Ogilvy was first selected by Price in 2017 and again by Els at Royal Melbourne. Ogilvy played on three consecutive International Teams (2007, 2009, 2011), where he amassed a 7-6-1 record.

“Geoff’s love for his native Australia and for the Presidents Cup are some of the many things that make him a perfect selection as Captain’s Assistant,” Immelman said. “His golf IQ, calmness and experience of being a Major champion makes him a huge asset to our young team.”

Ogilvy, 44, has eight career PGA Tour victories, including the 2006 US Open, and three World Golf Championships events. Ogilvy also won two of Australia’s biggest titles – the Australian PGA in 2008 and the Australian Open in 2010.

“After getting a glimpse into the future of our team in 2019, I am excited to return as a Captain’s Assistant in 2022,” Ogilvy said. “The collection of international players has only had time to improve and that is evident when you look at guys like Cameron Smith, Hideki Matsuyama and Joaquin Niemann, who have had tremendous success in the last year. I can’t wait to see what they bring to the table under Trevor’s captaincy.”

Joining Immelman’s roster of veteran leadership as a first-time Captain’s Assistant is Villegas, whose sole Presidents Cup appearance came in 2009 at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco. In addition to being a four-time PGA Tour winner, Villegas reached number seven in the OWGR and represented Colombia in the World Cup of Golf in 2006 and 2011.

“Bringing in Camilo as my fourth Captain’s Assistant feels like the perfect way to round out my selections,” Immelman said. “For the International Team, developing a well-rounded team is imperative. When I look at the representation among countries, languages and cultures, my ultimate goal is to blend them as cohesively as possible, and Camilo will help us do that. Another positive is that he is still competing on Tour, so he is closely in tune with all the players and trends in the professional game.”

Villegas is the only player from Colombia to have competed in the Presidents Cup. Sebastian Munoz, currently 15th in the International Team standings, will seek to become the second Colombian to make the International Team.

“When I got the call from Trevor inviting me as a Captain’s Assistant for the 2022 Presidents Cup, I was humbled and excited,” Villegas said. “Although it has been over 10 years since I played the event, I still have fond memories that are unforgettable, so joining on the other side as a Captain’s Assistant will be a highlight of my career.”