Jones could be late Pres Cup pick

A Louis Oosthuizen injury might open the door for Australian Matt Jones to make the International Presidents Cup team.

Matt Jones of Australia

Australia's Matt Jones could be a late call up to the International Presidents Cup golf team. (AAP)

Australian Matt Jones could be a late call up to the International Presidents Cup team after South African Louis Oosthuizen withdrew from the Tour Championship with a hamstring strain.

Oosthuizen won selection for Nick Price's International team in South Korea in the biennial battle with the USA from October 8-11, but is now in doubt.

"I hope Louis is healthy and ready to play but if he isn't I am ready to represent the Internationals," Jones told AAP via text message.

Already under a small cloud with a wrist complaint, Oosthuizen managed to get through 13 holes at East Lake Golf Club and was five over before pulling the pin.

The former British Open winner's right hamstring had been tight since Sunday and he was experiencing problems walking, but it had settled enough for him to attempt to play.

"Starting the round I didn't even feel it, I didn't even know about it. But after five or six holes I started feeling it immediately and started walking slower and just every hole it got worse and worse and worse," Oosthuizen said.

"It was getting worse and once it gets to a point where you don't swing it proper, it's no point in playing. That's when you start losing confidence and you start hurting other things."

Originally scheduled to play at the Dunhill Links in Scotland next week, Oosthuizen said he was unlikely to play.

"It might need to be a hot call not playing Dunhill Links, so that I can have a proper preparation before Presidents Cup," he said.

"I'll go home. My physio is actually going with me down to Palm Beach (Florida) and we'll do some work on it. Probably can't do much at the moment, it's quite tender, but I think that the next couple of days, the weekend we'll do some proper work.

"It's not just the individual thing, the Presidents Cup, it's a team thing, so I need to make a call on next Wednesday or Thursday and tell Nick Price if I'll be a hundred per cent or not."

When announcing his captain's picks a few weeks ago, Price made it clear Jones was unlucky to miss out saying his last pick came down to Sang-Moon Bae or the Australian.

The local product got the nod but if Jones does get a late call up he will join fellow Australians Jason Day, Adam Scott, Marc Leishman and Steven Bowditch.

"You never want to see a tremendous player with a tremendous career like Louis get hurt and hopefully he can get back and be part of our team," Bowditch said.

"I know he will do what it takes to get out there with us but if for some reason he can't it would be great to see Jonesy get a chance with us because I know he would also fly the International flag with pride and passion."

The American team has an injury worry of their own with Jim Furyk in doubt to take his place as he failed to start in the Tour Championship.


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Source: AAP



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