Steve Stricker, captain of the United States team for the Presidents Cup matches next year against the International team, selected Tiger Woods, Davis Love III and Fred Couples as assistant captains.
Woods and Stricker served as assistants to Love as the United States regained the Ryder by Cup by beating Europe two weeks ago at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.
“Tiger certainly could play his way onto the U.S. team, and if that happens, replacing him as a captain’s assistant will be a great problem for me to have,” Stricker said of Woods, who returns to play this week in the Safeway Open after missing last season following two back procedures.
The Presidents Cup will be played on Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2017 at Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, N.J.
Woods missed the Presidents Cup as a player for the first time last year and has a 24-15-1 record in the matches, helping the United States to a 9-1-1 record.
“It’s just a tremendous honor,” Woods said in a statement. “Steve is one of my best friends. It’s been a lot of fun getting to know him and (Stricker’s wife) Nicki and the kids, so for him to have the confidence in me, to be part of the crew and help him in any way I possibly can. I’m thrilled to be his assistant.”
Couples won three Presidents Cups as a captain from 2009-2013.
Nick Price of Zimbabwe, who will captain the International team for the third consecutive time, named Ernie Els of South Africa, Tony Johnstone of Zimbabwe and Geoff Ogilvy of Australia as his assistant captains.
