TORONTO, 20 August 2003 — Jack Nicklaus favored experience and Gary Player form in deciding their captain’s picks on Monday for this year’s President’s Cup team competition to be held in South Africa.
Nicklaus chose veteran pairing Fred Funk and Jay Haas as his wildcard selections for the US team while Player went for South Korea’s K.J. Choi and South African Tim Clark to round off his 12-man International lineup.
Funk and Choi were both next in line for selection according to the final President’s Cup standings, but 49-year-old Haas and the rock-steady Clark were relative surprises chosen for their steadiness under pressure.
“I selected Jay for a couple of reasons,” 18-times major winner Nicklaus said from Wisconsin in a teleconference call. “Jay’s had a wonderful year this year. He had a good PGA Championship and he’s had a lot of international experience, at previous President’s Cup and Ryder Cups. “I feel his stability and steadiness will bring a lot to the team, especially on foreign soil.”
Haas, who has played in two Ryder Cups and one President’s Cup, tied for fifth at the US PGA Championship on Sunday.
South African Player, widely regarded as the best exponent of bunker play in golfing history, plumped for his compatriot Clark after the 27-year-old finished third in the US PGA Championship on Sunday.
“Tim finished 13th at the (US) Masters championship earlier this year and he has won just under a million dollars on the US Tour, the most difficult tour in the world,” Player said from South Africa via the teleconference. Nine-times major winner Player added he was surprised Nicklaus had not opted for new US PGA champion Shaun Micheel, and then decided to have a bit of fun at the expense of his long-time rival.
“I’d much rather have a 27-year-old playing for my money than a 50-year-old,” said Player, comparing Clark to Haas.
