Couples to be named U.S. Presidents Cup captain

Fred Couples will replace Jack Nicklaus as captain of the U.S. team for the 2009 Presidents Cup, Golf World has learned. The United States team has defeated the international squad in the last two Presidents Cup matches and leads the overall series 5-1-1. The 2009 event will be held at Harding Park GC in San Francisco. Nicklaus had been the American captain for the last three matches, presiding over the controversial tie in South Africa in 2003 and victories at Robert Trent Jones GC in Virginia in 2005 and Royal Montreal GC in 2007. He also captained the team in 1998 at Royal Melbourne GC. Couples played on the U.S. team in 1994, 1996, 1998 and 2005, compiling a 9-5-2 overall record and a 3-0-1 mark in singles play. The official announcement will be made Tuesday.