The 2022 Presidents Cup oddly felt like something of a potential turning point for the International team, with defections to LIV Golf really galvanising Trevor Immelman’s men at Quail Hollow.
Of course, LIV Golf turned the entire golfing world upside down. But heading into the 2022 Presidents Cup, the formation of the league appeared to particularly hurt the International team.
Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann were in the top four in the qualification standings. Meanwhile, they were among five players who featured at Royal Melbourne in 2019 who were then ineligible three years later.
Unsurprisingly, USA took a comfortable 11-7 lead into the Sunday singles in 2022. The Internationals had some momentum after a superb performance in Saturday afternoon’s session.
They were, however, going to need some significant upsets.
The ‘amazing’ duel between Sebastian Munoz and Scottie Scheffler at the Presidents Cup
One of the points American fans may have been confident about securing came in match five, with world number one Scottie Scheffler being drawn against Sebastian Munoz.
Scheffler had had quite a miserable Presidents Cup up until that point. He had failed to win any of his three matches alongside Sam Burns, with Burns carrying the partnership.
Their only half point had come against Munoz and Sungjae Im on Friday.
Munoz was ranked 63rd in the world and was one of eight rookies on Trevor Immelman‘s team that week. He had received a captain’s pick after finishing 11th in the qualification standings.
Along with Im, Munoz had delivered a full point on that dramatic Saturday evening, as they beat Kevin Kisner and Tony Finau. But beating Scheffler in a one on one match was clearly going to be another matter altogether.
However, Munoz was able to inflict more disappointment on Scheffler that week in Charlotte. He won his match 2&1 to give the Internationals a small amount of hope. Scheffler had been ahead for almost all of the front nine before the game turned around at the turn.
He won three holes in a row to go from 2 down to 1 up after 10 holes. And following his victory, he suggested that it was one of the highlights of his career.
“It was tough. I had to really focus. Probably one of the best things I ever achieved in my life. Playing this week, holding off him two times this week. It took everything. I threw everything at him, and luckily we got a win,” he said.
“Yeah, amazing. Words can’t describe the way I felt today, I felt this week, I felt playing for the Shield. It’s been an awesome week. Kind of speechless.”
Sebastian Munoz in contention to secure his first win since the 2022 Presidents Cup
It is obviously interesting to hear Munoz’s comments about playing in the Presidents Cup. He decided to join LIV Golf in early 2023, with Mito Pereira also making the jump having featured at Quail Hollow.
Munoz has gone on to have a very good year on LIV in 2025. He sat seventh in the standings going into LIV Golf Indianapolis.
And of course, his regular season could yet end in a maiden victory on LIV. Munoz is tied for the lead heading into the final round at Chatham Hills after carding a 59 on Friday.
It has been another reminder that the Colombian has the potential to compete with the very best.
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