Recently, the PGA Tour announced that Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player will be the two captains for next year's Presidents Cup in South Africa. The decision to select Player was no surprise - he has helped make professional golf a global sport and is the elite golfer in South Africa's history.
But giving the Golden Bear another shot came as a slight surprise and indicates the tenuous nature of the event. Only in its seventh year of existance, the Presidents Cup could be off the radar if prominent American players don't support it.
Many people, including commissioner Tim Finchem, feel that by bringing back Nicklaus for a second captaincy, nobody would turn down the right to play. But here at Riviera, Tiger Woods was the first to sound the alarm. Even the greatest player in the game might not have enough influence to get Woods over to play.
Now, the '02 Presidents Cup is a long way off and the Ryder Cup is still looming this September. But if Tiger's comment is any indication, Nicklaus might be fielding a team at less than optimum strength. After getting dusted in Melbourne, and having lost the '87 Ryder Cup at Muirfield Village, Jack doesn't want to come up short for a third time.
This issue will continue to spark controversy and won't be fully resolved until late next year.
KNBR, The Golf Leader, Board for 2001:
Nissan Los Angeles Open: Feb. 22-25 Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, CA