Brandt Snedeker has admitted he "feels awful" for JJ Spaun after leaving the BMW PGA Championship winner out of his US Presidents Cup side. Spaun, who won at Wentworth, was overlooked by Snedeker for the biennial match against the International team of non-European players.
Spaun's winning response
Spaun said he played with a "huge chip on my shoulder" at Wentworth after being left out of the team. He promptly picked up his second DP World Tour victory, finishing two shots clear of four players, including Rory McIlroy, who was left shocked upon hearing Spaun hadn't been picked by Snedeker.
McIlroy said: "He's been playing great for the last couple of years. I think it's great of him to come over here and play. He made the Presidents Cup, didn't he? He didn't? Oh, geez, I was going to say that's a good way to go into the President's Cup… sorry! But it's great that he's over here, and he's obviously had a great week."
Snedeker's explanation
Spaun wasn't the only big-name star to be left out by Snedeker, who won the Ryder Cup as a player with the US at Hazeltine in 2016. Responding to questions about the 36-year-old's omission, he said: "I feel awful for JJ, and I always will, because he's a great dude and I love the guy to death. That being said, he's a competitor.
"Like, I knew this was going to happen. I told all the guys that didn't make the team, your job is to go make me look like an idiot as quick as possible. So I fully expect Ryan Gerard, I fully expect Gary [Woodland] to win, fully expect Akshay [Bhatia], all these guys that were around the cusp of making this team, to go out and make me look stupid.
"That's why they're the best golfers in the world. Give them something to go set their sights on, they're going to do it."
Spaun's motivation
After lifting the trophy at Wentworth, Spaun admitted he went into the tournament with a point to prove. He said: "We [him and Snedeker] haven't spoken. But yeah, I played with a huge chip on my shoulder. I definitely had something to prove this week, but everything happens for a reason.
"I'm so delighted to be here and just play this event. The extra motivation, I think that is the willpower that you kind of have, determination. Being left off the Presidents Cup team a couple of weeks ago was very disappointing and I wanted to prove that I deserved to be on that team. I took care of my business this week, so all the best to my mates next week at Medinah, but I'll be on the couch watching."
