Scott an ‘inspiration’ to International mates

WILDCARD Anirban Lahiri says the Internationals’ generation next will look to Australian stalwart Adam Scott for inspiration to finally topple the American dynasty in golf’s Presidents Cup.

India’s Lahiri and Argentine Emiliano Grillo were named as Nick Price’s captain’s picks for the September 28 tournament in New Jersey, while US rival Steve Stricker opted for five-time major winner Phil Mickelson and debutant Charley Hoffman, 40.

The four wildcards followed the finalisation of the 10 automatic qualifiers for each team, with the Internationals led by world No.3 Hideki Matsuyama, Day (9), Scott, (20), Louis Oosthuizen (21) and Marc Leishman (23).

Since the biennial teams event’s creation in 1994, the Internationals have won once – at Royal Melbourne in 1998 – and have lost every Cup following a 17-17 draw with the Americans in 2003.

But 30-year-old Lahiri believes Gold Coaster Scott, who will make an equal-best eighth appearance for the Internationals, can steer a team featuring four rookies to victory.

Among the newcomers are 24-year-old Grillo, Si Woo Kim of Korea, Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas and Canadian Adam Hadwin.

“I think Adam is an inspiration to all of us, especially my generation,” said Lahiri, who will return for his second appearance after missing a short putt on the 18th hole in 2015 that proved pivotal in the Americans’ one-point win.

“He’s absolutely magnificent. Adam and I played in Korea two years ago. When he’s in full flight, it’s just amazing to watch him play.”