A defining phone call

– It has been a rollercoaster ride for An Byeong-hun (above), and the Presidents Cup hasn’t even started.

The South Korean received a heartbreaking call from International team skipper Ernie Els in November to tell him he had missed the cut as a captain’s pick.

Then Australian Jason Day was forced out by a back injury and the phone rang again.

“I got a phone call twice, unfortunately and fortunately,” said An, as he prepared to make his Presidents Cup debut at Royal Melbourne against the Tiger Woods-led Americans.

“First one was saying I’m not in. It was a tough call. Obviously I was disappointed.

“I never thought I would get a second call, and last week, they said – ‘well, you can tell me to get lost but we need you on the team’.

“I was like, I’ll go down and play. I’m here and I’m looking forward to my first Presidents Cup.”

A former US Amateur Championship winner, An earned his spot on the team following three top-10s in his last six PGA Tour starts.

He is one of seven rookies in the 12-man team – the youngest ever assembled by the Internationals with an average age of just under 29.

He is confident that fellow debutants Li Haotong, CT Pan, Abraham Ancer, Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann and compatriot Im Sung-jae will rise to the occasion.

“I was very surprised, I’m like the seventh-oldest guy on the team,” said the 28-year-old.

“Ernie has been great. I think everyone has their own partners. We know who we’re playing with. We were all excited, so we’re looking forward to it.” –