The Fred Couples Homepage

The PGA Tour released the official announcement confirming that Fred Couples has been named as the 2009 Presidents Cup captain.

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — The PGA TOUR announced Tuesday that Presidents Cup veterans Fred Couples and Greg Norman will serve as Captains for the United States and International Teams, respectively, when The Presidents Cup is next held in 2009 at San Francisco’s Harding Park Golf Course.

Two of the most dominant players on the PGA TOUR during the 1980s and 1990s, they have significant experience in the biennial match-play competition. Couples has appeared four times (1994, 1996, 1998, 2005) and Norman three (1996, 1998, 2000).

They follow two World Golf Hall of Famers who captained the past three Presidents Cups — Couples takes over for Jack Nicklaus, who also captained the U.S. in 1998 while Norman, a Hall of Fame member himself, succeeds Gary Player.

“I am absolutely delighted to introduce these two great players as the new Presidents Cup Captains,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. “While it may not be easy to replace two legends such as Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, I know both Fred and Greg step into this role with a strong passion, commitment and desire to continue the outstanding legacy Jack, Gary and all the previous Captains have created for The Presidents Cup.”

The Americans hold an all-time 5-1-1 lead in the competition, and Nicklaus’ teams went 2-1-1 overall. Nicklaus and Player’s final meeting was last September, when the U.S. claimed a 19½-14½ victory at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Their most memorable encounter, however, was the first, in 2003 in Player’s homeland of South Africa. It ended in a 17-17 tie after a sudden-death playoff between Ernie Els and Tiger Woods could not determine a winner before darkness descended after three extra holes. In a show of sportsmanship, Nicklaus and Player decided that the competition would be declared a tie and that the teams would share the Cup.

“It’s truly an honor to be named U.S. Captain, and I have the challenge of following in the steps of Jack Nicklaus, Ken Venturi, Arnold Palmer and Hale Irwin, who were all tremendous leaders of the U.S. Team,” Couples said. “Starting with the first Presidents Cup in 1994, I have had the privilege of playing on four U.S. Teams and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the experience each time. We have very few opportunities to play together in team events, and The Presidents Cup has grown into a great event presenting the best players in an atmosphere of great sportsmanship. Making the transition from player to Captain is something I am very excited about.”

“I very much look forward to the opportunity and challenge of serving as Captain for the International Team,” Norman said. “I have fond memories of The Presidents Cup as a participant, particularly of our victory at Royal Melbourne.

“I have great respect for Gary Player and what he has meant to this event by serving as International Team Captain the past three meetings. I look forward to working with some of the greatest players in the world and to field an outstanding International Team and win the Cup back in 2009.”

Couples compiled a 9-5-2 record in The Presidents Cup while Norman was 7-6-1. They played against one another a total of three times during the 1996 and 1998 Presidents Cups.

In 1996, when the United States won by a point at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Prince William County, VA, Couples and Davis Love III teamed to defeat Norman and fellow Australian Robert Allenby 2 and 1 in Four-ball and 1-up in Foursomes. In 1998, when the International Team claimed a dominating 20½-11½ victory in Nicklaus’ debut as U.S. Captain at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Victoria, Australia, Norman and fellow countryman Steve Elkington defeated Couples and Love 2 and 1 in Four-ball. The Presidents Cup returns to Royal Melbourne in 2011.

Both Nicklaus and Player are very supportive of the selection of their respective successors.

“Although I have said many times that my experiences as Captain of the US team have been among my most enjoyable golf, I simply felt it was time for me to step aside and give someone else this rewarding opportunity,” said Nicklaus. “Fred Couples has such a history and connection with The Presidents Cup, so I think it is only fitting that he has been selected as Captain of the 2009 United States Team. I had the privilege of having Fred on several of my teams, including in 2005, when Fred was instrumental in our dramatic victory, and he was always an outstanding team player.

“I know how much he enjoyed contributing to The Presidents Cup as a player, and I am certain he will enjoy representing his team and his country as Captain. I plan to be at Harding Park next year to support Fred and the team in any way possible.”

“Serving as Captain of the International Team was a phenomenal experience for me. I am so pleased the 2009 team will have Greg as their Captain. He truly represents the global nature of The Presidents Cup and our sport,” Player said of Norman. “Since coming onto the international scene in the 1980s, Greg has been an international icon for golf. And while I didn’t have the privilege of captaining him, I know he understands and appreciates the competitive and sportsmanlike nature of The Presidents Cup.

“I wish him all the best in this role. The team will be in good hands.”

The Presidents Cup features many of the world’s best golfers with 12 representing the United States and 12 making up the International Team of players from around the world, excluding Europe, in team match-play competition.

For more information about The Presidents Cup, please visit The Presidents Cup Website at www.presidentscup.com.