Sport : Golf

Duo handed Ryder Cup roles

27th June 2012, 09:17pm

Bet with SkyBet  2012 Ryder Cup. Click here to bet.

Fred Couples: Has led USA to wins in the last two Presidents Cup contests

Fred Couples: Has led USA to wins in the last two Presidents Cup contests

American Ryder Cup captain Davis Love has named Fred Couples and Mike Hulbert as two of his vice-captains for this September's match against holders Europe in Chicago.

Couples, 52, has led the United States to victory in the last two Presidents Cup contests and with Love won four World Cups in a row from 1992 to 1995.

Hulbert, 54, was a three-time winner on the PGA Tour who even caddied for close friend Love before joining the seniors circuit. He served as Curtis Strange's vice-captain at the Belfry in 2002.

"I've talked to Fred a lot since he's done so well the last couple of years with the Presidents Cup team," Love said.

"I've gotten a lot of advice from him, been surprised at his level of detail and his commitment to the Presidents Cup and I know that's why the guys are lobbying for him to do it over and over again.

"People see Freddie, he makes it look so easy and he's got this nice swing and he's always smiling and waving, but what's going on in his head, I think, is completely different.

"He really has a lot of pride in his game. It doesn't show, but he tries very, very hard."

One of the first calls Love received after he was named captain was from Strange, who told him that Hulbert was "the best assistant captain in the history of the Ryder Cup".

Love commented: "He knows a lot of guys out here and a lot of guys know him.

"Those two were my natural choices. My next two are going to be harder."

European captain Jose Maria Olazabal is also planning on four assistants, but is not expected to name any until after next month's Open Championship.

That is sensible given that the likes of Thomas Bjorn, Paul McGinley - favourite to lead the side at Gleneagles in 2014 - and Miguel Angel Jimenez could yet make a run at making the side.

Love is not ruling out playing himself. He would be the first playing captain since Arnold Palmer in 1963.Love, as home captain, has also decided that the competition will start with foursomes rather than fourballs. Paul Azinger did the same in Kentucky four years ago and won before Colin Montgomerie switched it back at Celtic Manor.

Bet with SkyBet  2012 Ryder Cup. Click here to bet.

Golf Videos

    A young Rose blossoms

    A young Rose blossoms

    17-June-2013

    Justin Rose was making a name for himself before his performance at the Open as an amateur - so much so that Sky Sports paid him a visit in 1997.

    US Open Blog - Day 4

    US Open Blog - Day 4

    17-June-2013

    David Livingstone and Butch Harmon look back at Justin Rose's US Open victory.

    A dream for Rose

    A dream for Rose

    17-June-2013

    Justin Rose spoke to Tim Barter following his first major win at the US Open.

    Heartbreak for Mickelson

    Heartbreak for Mickelson

    16-June-2013

    Phil Mickelson was yet again runner up at this years US Open.

    Sky Bet

    Facebook Favourites