Day gets Presidents Cup call

Australia’s Jason Day has been named as one of International team captain Ernie Els’s four wildcard picks for December’s Presidents Cup clash with the USA. Day, who will be 32 on November 12, did not qualify automatically for the showpiece event after an indifferent season in which he has secured only five top-10 finishes and missed four cuts The Queenslander has not won since the Wells Fargo Championship in May 2018 and is currently ranked 29th in the world. However, South African captain Els has opted for the 2015 US PGA Championship winner and Day was grateful to the ‘Big Easy’. “I want to thank Ernie for having the faith in me and I’m looking forward to catching up with the team,” he said. Canadian Adam Hadwin, Sungjae Im of South Korea and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann also got the call to join the eight automatic selections for the 12-man team. Niemann was understandably delighted and feels it is good for his nation as well as himself. “This is really big for my country and South America,” the 21-year-old said. “Golf has been growing a lot in Chile and this is going to help those kids who are growing up and starting to play the game.” US captain Tiger Woods will reveal his dozen on Friday and is expected to name himself among the playing party.