Gary Player - The Legend

Player and Nicklaus to Return as Presidents Cup Captains in 2007

Jun 1, 2006 | Filed Under: General News   

The PGA TOUR announced on Wednesday, May 31st at the Memorial Golf Tournament in Dublin, Ohio that golf legends Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player will return as Captains of the United States and International Teams, respectively, for The Presidents Cup in 2007…

The biennial international team match-play competition will be played outside of the United States for the third time when the event is held September 24-30, 2007 at The Royal Montreal Golf Club in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The 2007 matches will mark the third consecutive Presidents Cup competition in which Captains Player and Nicklaus have led the International and United States teams.  Player and Nicklaus were the Captains presiding over 2003’s scintillating event at the Player-designed Links Course at Fancourt Hotel & Country Club Estate in George, South Africa. That competition was declared a tie after both teams finished regulation with 17 points apiece, and the sudden-death playoff between Ernie Els and Tiger Woods could not determine a winner before darkness descended after three holes. In a show of sportsmanship, both teams decided that the competition would be declared a tie and that the teams would share the Cup.

The 2005 Presidents Cup, played for the fourth time at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Prince William County, Virginia, came down to the final hole. When American Chris DiMarco birdied the 18th hole in Sunday�s singles to defeat Stuart Appleby, 1-up, he gave the United States team an 18 - to 15 - victory.

“We are thrilled that Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have agreed to come back and lead their teams again,” said Tim Finchem, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR. “The Presidents Cup has come of age over the last two playings, in large part, due to the efforts of these two legends of the game.

The 2003 and 2005 Presidents Cups both came down to the final hole. We are expecting another spirited competition when the teams match up in Canada in 2007.”

Captains Player and Nicklaus are both flattered to have the opportunity to lead their respective teams once again.

“I am both honored and delighted to have been asked by Commissioner Tim Finchem to Captain The Presidents Cup again for the third time beside my friend Jack Nicklaus,” Player said.

“As everyone knows, we tied the first matches in South Africa and just got beaten in a real thriller last time in Virginia. It’s now time for us to win; and I cannot wait to finalize our team, get to Canada and let the games begin!”

“It is no secret that Jack and I have really enjoyed our respective roles as Captains and have relished the camaraderie our teams have shown one another. The fact is, The Presidents Cup has come of age and is now universally accepted for what it is - great golf, played by some of the world’s best, in the true spirit of the game.”

The Royal Montreal Golf Club, which was founded in 1873 and is the oldest golf club in North America, has previously served as host to nine Canadian Opens.

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 website.

« Back