Brooks Koepka, who qualified as the No. 1-ranked player for the U.S. Presidents Cup Team, announced today that he has been forced to withdraw from the 2019 competition due to a knee injury. U.S. Team Playing Captain Tiger Woods used the additional selection afforded to him by Koepkaâs withdrawal to select Rickie Fowler.
The Presidents Cup will return to Melbourne, Australia and The Royal Melbourne Golf Club for the third time, December 9-15, 2019.
Koepkaâs statement: âToday, I am announcing my withdrawal from the U.S. Presidents Cup Team because of my knee injury. I notified Captain Tiger Woods that despite constant medical care and rehab, I am not able to play golf at this time. I consider it to be a high honor to be part of the 2019 team and I regret not being able to compete.
Since my injury in Korea, I have been in constant contact with Tiger and assured him that I was making every effort to be 100 percent in time for the Presidents Cup in Australia. However, I need more time to heal.
Iâm sorry I wonât be able to represent the Red, White and Blue this time around and I wish my teammates nothing but the best as they work to retain the Presidents Cup for the USA.â
Decemberâs event would have been Koepkaâs second Presidents Cup appearance after making his debut in 2017 and compiling a 2-2-0 record.
âBrooks and I talked, and heâs disappointed that he wonât be able to compete,â said Woods. âI told him to get well soon, and that weâre sorry he wonât be with us in Australia. He would clearly be an asset both on the course and in the team room.â
Fowler will now play for the third time on the U.S. Team following a strong showing in 2017 at Liberty National where he was undefeated with a 3-0-1 record.
âI spoke to Rickie and he has agreed to join the U.S. Team,â Woods said. âRickie has played on a couple Presidents Cup teams, was someone seriously considered for a pick and is well respected and liked by his teammates. I know heâs going to do a great job for us. Weâre all excited about this yearâs event. The course is outstanding, the fans will be loud and weâre playing against great competitors. Weâre ready to go.â Â
âWhen I heard Brooks wasnât going to be ready to play, I was bummed for him and the team,â Fowler said. âThen I got a call from both Brooks and Tiger. I was humbled and excited to be given the chance. These team events have been some of the most memorable weeks of my career. To be picked by Tiger to compete with him and the rest of the team is very special. It is impossible to replace the worldâs No. 1, but I can assure my teammates and American golf fans that I will be prepared and ready to do my part to bring home the Presidents Cup.â
Rickie Fowler Presidents Cup Information
PGA TOUR Wins:Â 5
Presidents Cup: 2 (2015, 2017) / 4-3-1 record    Â
2018/19 Highlights: Won fifth PGA TOUR title at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Recorded second consecutive and third career top-10 at the Masters Tournament, tying Patrick Cantlay and Jon Rahm for ninth. Recorded six top-10 finishes on the season in which he reached the TOUR Championship for the fifth consecutive time.
Notable: Finished 11th in the final Presidents Cup standings when the top eight earned a spot on the team. Was undefeated in his last appearance at the 2017 Presidents Cup with a record of 3-0-1. Went 2-0-1 when paired with Justin Thomas that year and won his Singles match against Emiliano Grillo.