Akron, United States: Steve Stricker was named an assistant captain for the United States’ Presidents Cup team on Tuesday, with barely a month remaining in qualifying for the October showdown in South Korea.
Stricker will join Fred Couples and Davis Love as assistants to US captain Jay Haas as the Americans try to retain the trophy against an Internationals squad from outside Europe as the Ryder Cup-style event makes its Asian debut on October 8-11.
Stricker, a 12-time PGA Tour winner, went 14-10 in five Cup appearances and also played on three US Ryder Cup squads.
“Steve’s insight, quiet perspective and positive demeanour will be invaluable in the team room,” Haas said. “He will be contributing a lot over the next two months as we prepare for Korea.”
Internationals captain Nick Price will be assisted by fellow Zimbabweans Tony Johnstone and Mark McNulty and South Korean K.J. Choi.
Reigning US Open and Masters champion Jordan Spieth paces the US team points leaders, a lineup that includes British Open winner Zach Johnson, Bubba Watson, Jimmy Walker, Dustin Johnson, Jim Furyk, Patrick Reed, Rickie Fowler, Chris Kirk and Matt Kuchar in the 10 spots at stake.
Charley Hoffman, J.B. Holmes, US captain’s son Bill Haas and Billy Horschel are chasing the last spots over the next month.
On the global side, Australians Jason Day and Adam Scott set the points pace followed in order by South African Louis Oosthuizen, Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, South African Branden Grace, Aussie Mark Leishman, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, South African Charl Schwartzel, India’s Anirban Lahiri and Aussie John Senden.
Chasing the final spots over the next month are South Korean An Byeong-hun, Aussie Steven Bowditch, New Zealand’s Danny Lee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand.
