Fred Couples Announces his Presidents Cup Team

Now that the 2011 FedEx Cup champion has been crowned the golfing world turned to the announcement today of the Presidents Cup teams for both the United States and the European team.

U.S. captain Fred Couples shocked many when he used one of his two captain's picks on Tiger Woods a good month before the actually selection was to be announced.

Couples, then had this to say about that decision, "I've told him that he's going to be on the team. There is no reason for me to wait till September 26th to pick Tiger. He's the best player in the world forever."

Some would obviously argue that last part of his statement as Woods has dropped to 49th in the Official World Golf Rankings and has shown little to no flashes of his old self in some time now.

Moving past the Woods pick and the debate that it brought on, Couples announced the rest of the U.S. team this afternoon which includes five first time players of the event.

With his second captains pick, Couples went with Bill Haas, the recent Tour Championship and FedEx Cup champion.

Haas said he was honored to be picked by Couples stating that he has been a good friend to his family.

Bill will be joining his father Jay down under, as the elder Haas is Couples' assistant captain.

The 2011 U.S. Presidents Cup Team roster and experience.

Matt Kuchar - First appearance
Steve Stricker - 3, (1996, 2007, 2009)
Dustin Johnson - First appearance
Webb Simpson - First appearance
Nick Watney - First appearance
Phil Mickelson - 8, (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009)
Bubba Watson - First appearance
David Toms - 3, (2003, 2005, 2007)
Hunter Mahan - 2, (2007, 2009)
Jim Furyk - 6, (1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009)
Tiger Woods - 6, (1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009)
Bill Haas - First appearance

After his selections, Couples went on to say that he did speak to Keegan Bradley and explained why he was not chosen to the roster.

It sounded as though Couples decision was made at the Tour Championship with Haas winning and Bradley not finishing as strongly as he needed to, to garner a selection.

Couples did go one to say that Bradley would be the choice if Steve Stricker was unable to go when the Presidents Cup matches roll around in November.

The two captains picks will obviously be debated in the months leading up to the event. As for now, the roster is set.

2 comments:

  1. Couples painted himself into a corner when he picked Tiger that soon for the team.

    Wrong move to me, but I'm not the captain either. I would have gone with Haas and Bradley.

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  2. Not a fan of Couples announcment of Woods that far out either Chad.

    Shot himself in the foot there. Although, it could work out for Bradley if Stricker can't go with his injury come November.

    Couples could get bailed out there. Lot of time though between now and then.

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