Nicklaus, Player announce Presidents Cup teams

The final four players for this year's Presidents Cup were announced Monday as United States Team Captain Jack Nicklaus and International Team Captain Gary Player each announced their two Captains' Picks.

Captain Nicklaus, who is leading the United States team for the third time, chose Justin Leonard and Fred Couples. Leonard finished 11th in the U.S. Team standings, while Couples was ranked 17th. Both players have competed in three previous Presidents Cups. Leonard played in 1996, 1998 and 2003. Couples scored the clinching points in the United States' victories in 1994 and 1996, and competed in the 1998 matches in Australia.

"Justin is a major championship winner, a 10-time winner on the PGA TOUR and he won two points for us at Fancourt on the last team," said Nicklaus.

Nicklaus is excited about the experience that Couples brings to the team.

"He's 8-3-1 in Presidents Cup matches, including a 6-1 record at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, where he is an honorary member," Nicklaus said.

Player has chosen Peter Lonard of Australia and South African Trevor Immelman to complete his team. Lonard finished 11th in the International Team standings, while Immelman was 22nd. Lonard competed in the 2003 matches in South Africa, while Immelman will be making his debut.

"I love (Peter Lonard's) aggressiveness when he plays golf, and he is my number-one choice," Player said.

Player thinks that Immelman will be a good addition to his International Team.

"He is a great shot-maker and he's had a lot of experience," said Player of Immelman. "He's an extremely focused young man and a very, very good team member."

These four players will join the other 20 players that earned berths on the teams competing in the sixth Presidents Cup, September 20-25 at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Prince William County, Va.

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, including a 21= to 10= victory in 2000 the last time the event was held at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club. The United States and International Teams shared the last Presidents Cup, held at Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estates in George, South Africa, after both teams finished the competition tied 17-17.

The final roster of teams follows:

* Captain's Pick