Nicklaus Tabs Sluman as President's Cup Assistant

United States Team Captain Jack Nicklaus has announced that Jeff Sluman will reprise his role as Captain's Assistant for the 2005 Presidents Cup.

Sluman previously served as the United States Team Captain's Assistant at the memorable 2003 Presidents Cup in South Africa, which ended in a 17-17 tie.

"Jeff did a tremendous job for us in South Africa," said Nicklaus. "I told him not long after the matches that he not only did a good job, but I enjoyed working with him and having him involved with the team.

"Plus we have some unfinished business to settle.

"We talked again last week when he did not play in The INTERTATIONAL and it became obvious that he could not make enough points at the PGA Championship to earn a spot on the team." Nicklaus added. "I told him that I would like to have him again as my Captain's Assistant."

"I also said that if he won the PGA Championship I would make him my first alternate and still have him serve as my Captain's Assistant."

Sluman, a member of the PGA TOUR since 1983, is a six-time winner with his biggest victory coming at the 1988 PGA Championship. He is currently ranked 49th on the 2005 PGA TOUR in earnings with $978,187 and has recorded three top-10 finishes this year, with his best finish being a tie for third at the Memorial Tournament.

"Jeff is very active on the PGA TOUR so he is relevant and knowledgeable about today's players," Nicklaus said.

"He is able to provide me a great deal of valuable input. Jeff is also a past PGA Championship winner and commands respect from other players.

"Just as important, Jeff gets along well with the players, and the players and their wives like Jeff and his wife, Linda, very much."

Sluman is excited to again be working with Captain Nicklaus.

"I am very pleased that the greatest player that has lived has chosen me to be his assistant again," said Sluman. "I think we had a wonderful experience in South Africa.

"Obviously Jack thought I was a good sounding board for the decision-making process throughout the competition. I would have loved to have made the team, but this is another honor that I wish more players could experience in their careers."

Gary Player, Captain of the International Team, is expected to name his Captain's Assistant in the near future. Both Captains will be at next week's World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational to meet with their teams.

The sixth playing of The Presidents Cup will be Sept. 20-25 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Prince William County, VA.

About The Presidents Cup

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. The United States has won three of the first five Presidents Cups. The 2003 Presidents Cup ended in a 17-17 tie after both teams decided to share the Cup in a show of sportsmanship.

For more information about The Presidents Cup, please visit www.presidentscup.com.