Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player to Reprise Their Roles as Captains at 2005 Presidents Cup

The PGA TOUR announced today that Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player will return as Captains of the United States and International Teams, respectively, for The Presidents Cup in 2005.  

The biennial international team match-play competition will return to the United States for the fourth time when the event is held September 19-25, 2005 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on Lake Manassas in Prince William County, Virginia.  

The 2005 Presidents Cup will allow Captains Nicklaus and Player to settle some unfinished business. They were the Captains presiding over last year's scintillating event at The 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.  

"We are excited that Captain Nicklaus and Captain Player have agreed to again lead their teams in The Presidents Cup," said Tim Finchem, Commissioner of the PGA TOUR. "The 2003 Presidents Cup exemplified what this event is all about in terms of competition and sportsmanship, and it is appropriate that these two gentlemen who are the epitome of those traits lead their teams again."  

Captain Nicklaus looks forward to again leading the United States squad.  

"I am absolutely flattered and excited that the PGA TOUR has asked Gary and me to again captain The Presidents Cup in 2005. What happened in South Africa was perhaps the most exciting golf event in which I have ever been involved. The Presidents Cup, at its foundation, is a goodwill event aimed at showcasing and growing the game of golf. Without question, after watching the level of performances and sportsmanship displayed by both teams, the game of golf was the winner in the 2003 Presidents Cup.  

"Last year's matches make for a hard act to follow, but Gary and I are looking forward to the challenge. The 2005 matches should not only be fun, but again a rewarding experience."  

Captain Player is also looking forward to matching up again against his longtime friend and competitor.  

"Frankly, the experience last year in South Africa was one of the highlights of my 50-year career as a professional golfer and captaining my team an absolute privilege. Now, to be invited to do this again by Commissioner Finchem is both an honor and a delight.  

"The fact that Jack Nicklaus will act as opposing captain is like "icing on the cake," as he and I saw eye-to-eye on everything last year. Jack and I have been friends and competitors for a long time and although we believe the tie was the best way to settle the 2003 Presidents Cup, I'm sure we both now will relish the chance of an outright victory at the next meeting in Washington DC."  

Nicklaus, 64, has won 73 PGA TOUR events in his career and a record 18 professional major championship victories. In addition to his individual success, Nicklaus has represented the United States on numerous occasions. As an amateur, he was on the United States Walker Cup team twice. After turning professional in 1962, he was a member of six World Cup teams and six Ryder Cup teams. He was Captain of the United States Ryder Cup team in 1983 and 1987. This will be his third turn as United States Presidents Cup Captain.  

Player, 68, is one of the most successful international golfers of all time with more than 160 career tournament wins worldwide. On the PGA TOUR, he won 24 times and posted victories in nine major championships. He has also recorded 19 victories on the SENIOR PGA TOUR, including the 1998 Northville Long Island Classic where, at age 62, he became the second-oldest player in Champions Tour history to win an event.  

Nicklaus, Player, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods are the only players to win each of golf's four major championships, and Nicklaus is the only player to have done it on both the PGA TOUR and Champions Tour.  

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club is a par--72 layout that will play to 7,335 yards. It has previously served as host to The Presidents Cup in 1994, 1996 and in 2000.  

The United States has won three of the first five Presidents Cups, including a 21_ to 10_ victory in 2000, the last time the event was held at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Lake Manassas, Virginia. The International Team was victorious in 1998 when the competition was held at The Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia.  

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 Presidents Cup Website at www.presidentscup.com.