SAN FRANCISCO — The Presidents Cup will feature 34 matches over four days at Harding Park, bringing together the best golfers from everywhere in the world except Europe. The entertainment value could start before the competition.

Seattle native Fred Couples is the U.S. captain.

He could say anything. His remarks, at a news conference or the opening ceremony, could go anywhere.

Remember, this is the player who once said, "I'm a lot older than I was when I was 30, which is hard to believe."

Couples, a 1992 Masters champion who reached No. 1 in the world, is known for the grace, power and simplicity of his swing.

He is perhaps equally famous for telling reporters he doesn't like to answer the phone "because someone may be on the other end."

Couples might be golf's version of Yogi Berra.

No, he has never been quoted as saying, "It ain't over till it's over." Then again, there was that time Couples was playing in the Ryder Cup and offered this assessment of U.S. chances: "I think if we can stay ahead every day, we'll have a good shot at winning."

U.S. player Phil Mickelson said, "You hit the nail on the head, calling him the Yogi Berra of golf. That's the kind of manager — captain — he'll be. I think it will be a fun week."

That's one reason the U.S. players have been looking forward to the event; matches start Thursday.

Greg Norman is captain of the International team.

Couples, 50, makes things fun.



He wanted to be a Ryder Cup captain, yet was not given serious consideration. Couples made the mistake — not that he would apologize — of publicly poking fun of players having to shake too many hands at dinner parties.

When he accepted the Presidents Cup job, he was making arrangements for the week in San Francisco and asked a PGA Tour assistant to book a dinner at DiMaggio's (he first referred to it as Mantle's). Couples suggested a reservation for six, until he was reminded there are 12 players on the team.

"These guys don't want to eat with each other every night, do they?" Couples said, and it wasn't clear if he was kidding.

Yes, it should be a fun week for the Americans.

"We all know what kind of attitude Freddie has, and I think that will be a good attitude for the team," Steve Stricker said. "I think it will relax us."

Couples has played with Tiger Woods in two Presidents Cups, and the world's No. 1 player looks forward to what Couples has to say.

"I can't wait to listen to him, his speeches, and see where they're going to go," Woods said. "When they start off one way, they never end up there. I think that's one of things that we're all going to have a good time with."

He should make for a very interesting week,,,,,,

So what do you think of his tall advisor

Me likes them all,,,,,,,,,,,,

...at least so far

I probably should not say this , but Freddie reminds me of myself. I almost never answer the phone and i HAVE gotten much older than i was when i was thirty !

The Captain thing is way overdone in the Ryder Cup.( and The Presidents Cup) They walk around with their hands in their pockets all day and alternately grimace or smile when a putt is missed or made. Who needs them....................you could put the names on the wall and throw darts at them to decide who was going to play with whom .....and either look like a genious or crash and burn . Guys are going to make shots and putts or they are not.

The Captains are mostly a hood ornament out there , and the Captain's assistants are even MORE worthless. They are not allowed to give any advice , so they are just another "wife" out there. Frank Nobilo said he felt like a wife out there yesterday. Azinger said he was "a really ugly wife" ...............maybe they could get him to shave .

Freddie has the right idea.......i didn't see him yesterday when i was watching..........he was probably in the clubhouse watching television or something.

He did say it was a no-brainer job

Great post JJ,, !!! I agree, Fred seems to have the style for this.

He really wants the Ryder Cup captaincy though

Has my vote,,,,,,,,,