Stars of 2015 Presidents Cup relish return to familiar Korean track for LIV Golf tournament
Phil Mickelson, golf player of U.S., tees off on the second hole during the final round of LIV Golf Miami at Trump National Doral in Doral, Fla., U.S., April 6. EPA-Yonhap
In October 2015, Phil Mickelson led the United States to its sixth consecutive victory at the Presidents Cup, a match play competition against a team of non-European international stars, when the event was held in Korea. It was the first time that the Presidents Cup took place in Asia.
The host course of the competition, Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Incheon, just west of Seoul, drew rave reviews from participants then. And now some 10 years later, in May 2025, Mickelson will get to play on the same course, this time as captain of HyFlyers GC on LIV Golf.
LIV Golf, a Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway circuit, will make its Korea debut with LIV Golf Korea from May 2 to 4. The tour features 10 players who competed at the 2015 Presidents Cup, including Mickelson, a Hall of Famer who tied for the U.S. lead with 3 1/2 points and Dustin Johnson of 4Aces GC, former world No. 1 who picked up three points for the U.S. side. Louis Oosthuizen of Stinger GC, a South African for the International Team then, ranked second among all players with 4 1/2 points.
Mickelson, a six-time major champion, said Monday he was relishing his return to a "world-class" course in Incheon.
"The location that Jack Nicklaus designed it in was really enlightening on how green it was and how well thought-out the city of Incheon is," Mickelson said in a press release by LIV Golf. "I really enjoyed my time there for the Presidents Cup in 2015 and I'm really excited we're going back there with LIV Golf."
Mickelson, who has also played at a PGA Tour event in Korea, said LIV Golf has made "the right move" to have a tournament in the country and expand the game globally.
"Korea has played such an important part in supporting the growth of the game of golf," Mickelson said. "For us to be able to move the highest level of the professional game there and participate and compete in front of the crowds there is really a great thing for LIV Golf as well as the game overall."
Johnson, captain of 4Aces GC with two career major titles, recalled that he enjoyed his time in Korea 10 years ago and said, "I know we'll get good crowds. It was a great experience playing there, and I'm really excited to go back."
Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open Championship winner who captains Stinger GC, went undefeated at the 2015 Presidents Cup in a losing cause for the International Team. Despite the team's loss, Oosthuizen still has fond memories of playing at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club.
"It's always nice going back to a course you've played well at before," he said. "It was a really fun week being part of a great team. I'm looking forward to coming back with LIV Golf this time."