The Presidents Cup will return to Melbourne, Australia and The Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the third time, December 9-15, 2019.

“This is the core of the team. These guys have earned it. They've proven that they belong on the team,” said US Team Captain Tiger Woods. “You've got some veterans, whether it's Webby, Kuch or Dustin, who have been part of the teams for a very long time, and we have some newcomers. We have a nice mix.

“It's a younger team, and that's what we want to see. We want to see a little turnover and get the younger guys playing on these teams because they're going to be a part of it for a very long time going forward. Really, I can’t wait to get some of these young guys down to Royal Melbourne to experience golf in the Sandbelt Region and get to experience how much the fans love and appreciate sports and golf in that area of the world.”

TEAM NOTES

Of the eight players, five are in their 20s with Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay qualifying for the first time.

Making his fifth Presidents Cup appearance, Matt Kuchar is the most experienced player in the top eight. Kuchar, Webb Simpson and Dustin Johnson each played on the 2011 US Team that was victorious at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club.

Brooks Koepka leads the US Team as the No.1-ranked player in the world and has three wins this season on the PGA Tour. Koepka, Johnson, Kuchar and Justin Thomas were all members of the victorious US Team in 2017.

Thomas qualifies on the heels of his victory at the BMW Championship on Sunday. The win moved Thomas to No.2 in the standings.

NO.1 – BROOKS KOEPKA

Age: 29

PGA Tour Wins: 7

Presidents Cup: 1 (2017) / 2-2-0 record 

2018/19 Highlights: Reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year has three wins at the CJ CUP @ NINE BRIDGES, the US PGA Championship and the World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. He also has three runner-up finishes including the Masters Tournament and the US Open. Ranks 1st in par-4 scoring average on the PGA Tour this season.

Notable: Has won four majors and a World Golf Championships event. Has been No.1 in the Official World Golf Ranking for a total of 23 weeks including the last 14 consecutive weeks.

Brooks Koepka Quotes: “It's always fun to represent the United States. I think it's a special honour and something we don't take lightly. But at the same time, I've never been to Australia. So it's been on my bucket list for a long time to get down there and go play golf and go see Australia. So to get down there at the end of the year in December will be a special treat and to do it with guys that I've become really close with over the last couple years, three years.

“To be able to be a part of these teams, it's so much fun. I don't think people realise what goes on behind closed doors. And how much fun it is for us and you build those relationships with these guys, and we're gonna have them rest of our lives.”

Tiger Woods Quote: “It's hard not to say that he's (Brooks) had one of the most incredible major championship runs of all time. What he's done the last couple years has been truly remarkable in major championships. He's beaten all of us, and what he brings to the team is that toughness that we want, that fire. But he's also that calmness, too, that calming factor.”

NO.2 – JUSTIN THOMAS

Age: 26

PGA Tour Wins: 10

Presidents Cup: 3 (2017) / 3-1-1 record

2018/19 Highlights: Saved the best for last as his first victory of the season came in the final week of qualification on Sunday at the BMW Championship. The win marked his sixth top-10 finish of the season.

Notable: Only player on the team with one major, one World Golf Championships and a FedExCup. Ranks 1st in birdie average on the PGA Tour this season.    

Justin Thomas Quote: “I'm very excited. I've never been to Australia before, so to just go to Australia, is exciting in itself. I've had a blast with my two team events, obviously, one a little bit more fun than the other getting it done at the Presidents Cup at Liberty National two years ago. So hoping to recreate some of those memories, but to be able to play for Tiger and have a very, very solid deep team again. It's something that we're all looking forward to and excited for.”

Tiger Woods Quote: “What I saw as a vice captain at Liberty National, the fire, his first Cup, his first team event, and he was so just enthusiastic, and what a great team guy.  Incredible in the locker room.  Everybody loves him, and he's got that little fiery personality that you want.”

NO.3 – DUSTIN JOHNSON

Age: 35

OWGR: 2nd (2nd on current ranking)

PGA Tour Wins: 20

Presidents Cup: 3 (2011, 2015, 2017)/ 8-4-2 record                        

2018/19 Highlights: Won the WGC-Mexico Championship as part of seven top-10 finishes

Notable: Played in Melbourne in 2011 where he was paired with Tiger Woods for three matches. One major championship win, six career WGC victories. Has at least one victory in each of the last 12 consecutive seasons on the PGA Tour.

Tiger Woods Quote: “DJ has been on the team for a long time. I played with him in 2011 down there in Melbourne, and what an incredible player and incredible partner. He brings experience, also a lot of game, and so it'll be fun to have him on the team again and see him out there playing because what he did down in Melbourne last time, he played really solidly. Looking forward to that again.”

NO.4 – PATRICK CANTLAY

Age: 27

PGA Tour Wins: 2

Presidents Cup: Making first appearance

2018/19 Highlights: Won at the Memorial Tournament and finished runner-up at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open as well as the BMW Championship this season. Cantlay also finished third at the RBC Heritage and the US PGA Championship.

Tiger Woods Quote: “Patrick has never been a part of the teams before, so this will be new for him. It will be exciting to have him on the team. He's kind of quiet, quiet and kind of reserved, but we've gotten to know him – I've gotten to know him a little bit from being on the training tables next to him, and what a great kid. When we go down to Melbourne, it's a golf course which you have to putt well, and he's one of the best putters we've got.”