Adrián Otaegui announced to the world a few weeks ago that he had decided to accept the nationality of the United Arab Emirates and that from this season he would compete under the flag of this country instead of the Spanish one.
The golfer born in San Sebastián explained this decision in the attractive golf promotion project offered to him by the Emirates Golf Federation. In fact, the main interest of this country, which includes Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras al Khaimah, among others, is for Otaegui to compete in the Olympic Games, as they believe there is no better showcase for the development of golf in this region, which is absolutely in its infancy, especially among those under 14 years old.
Beyond the usual controversy and some heated debates that took place on social media, Otaegui’s decision has also brought a direct consequence. Although Adrián maintains his Spanish passport, he will not be able to compete in the Ryder Cup, as for the purposes of international golf competitions he is considered Emirati rather than Spanish. This has been confirmed by the DP World Tour to Ten Golf.
With the Ryder Cup door closed, it remained to be seen whether, on the contrary, he had the possibility of competing in the Presidents Cup on the International team. Well, the PGA Tour, organiser of the Presidents, has confirmed to Ten Golf that, indeed, Otaegui is eligible to compete in the duel that every two years pits the United States against the rest of the world except Europe. However, to play it, obviously, he would first have to qualify or be chosen by the captain.
The only restriction imposed by the International Golf Federation for these nationality changes and the competitions they can participate in is that at least four years have passed since the last international competition they played for their previous country. In Otaegui’s case, the last one was the 2018 World Cup with Spain. More than six years have passed.
The qualification process for the International team of the Presidents Cup, at least if it doesn’t change for the next edition in 2026 to be held in Medinah, Chicago, is as follows: the top six in the world ranking at the time the deadline closes qualify, just like that, without an opening or closing period, the top six at that moment, period. Additionally, another six are chosen by the captain. It is common in the Presidents for it to be played by members of the PGA Tour, but it is not an essential condition, according to what the American circuit commented to Ten Golf.
There is so much time until the 2026 Presidents Cup that Otaegui is not even considering it as a goal at the moment, but surely when the date arrives it will become an extra incentive. By the way, could Otaegui change his mind again in the future and compete under the Spanish flag? According to the policy of the International Golf Federation, which the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour adhere to, yes, although he will not be able to compete in an international competition representing Spain or Europe until four years have passed since he last competed internationally, for example in the Olympic Games, with the United Arab Emirates.
