Davis Love and Tiger Woods named Presidents Cup vice-captains

Ryder Cup winning captain Davis Love III and Tiger Woods have been named as vice-captains to Steve Stricker for next year's Presidents Cup in New Jersey.

Stricker has appointed Love, Tiger Woods and three-time Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples as his assistants for the contest at Liberty National, while the Internationals skipper Nick Price has added Ernie Els, Tony Johnstone and Geoff Ogilvy to his backroom team.

Love, who guided the USA to their first Ryder Cup win since 2008 at Hazeltine last week, said: "I'm still on a high from the win last week, probably one that I will never come down from. To be able to carry that momentum over to the Presidents Cup next year and work with many of the same guys is really exciting for me.

Image: Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker both assisted Davis Love at the Ryder Cup

"And to be a captain's assistant to one of my great friends in Steve Stricker will make the experience even better.  Any opportunity to represent the red, white and blue is a true honor and not one that I would ever pass up. I love the Presidents Cup, and I'm confident the crowds for 2017 will be out in full force - for both teams."

Woods is preparing to make his return to competitive golf after a year on the sidelines following back surgery, and Stricker did not rule out the possibility of the former world No 1 playing his way onto the team and creating a vacancy for a vice-captain's role.

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Image: Woods could still play his way onto the US Presidents Cup team

"Tiger certainly could play his way onto the US Team, and if that happens, replacing him as a captain's assistant will be a great problem for me to have," said Stricker. "But if he doesn't, I'm honoured he accepted this role for the first time in his impressive Presidents Cup career.

"Tiger has been a great teammate and friend over the years, and I know the U.S. guys will benefit from the experience and camaraderie that only Tiger can bring."

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Image: Steve Stricker will captain the US side for the first time

Woods was one of Love's assistants along with Stricker at Hazeltine, and he said: "It's just a tremendous honour. Steve is one of my best friends. We've been friends for close to 20 years now, we've played on Ryder Cups and Presidents Cups, in pairings together and playing against each other down the stretch in tournaments.

"It's been a lot of fun getting to know him and Nicki and the kids, so for him to have the confidence in me, to be part of the crew and help him in any way I possibly can - I'm thrilled to be his assistant."

Image: Ernie Els has been named as assistant captain for The Internationals

Els will also be keen to be at Liberty National in a playing role, but he will look forward to assisting his long-time friend Price as the Zimbabwean takes charge of the Internationals for the third time in a row.

"To be with Nick is going to be wonderful," said Els. "We go back a long time. He was my mentor on Tour, and I played a lot of practice rounds with him, got a lot of advice from Nick. We've become really great friends since then, and I can't wait to help him. It's going to be an unreal Presidents Cup."

Image: Nick Price will lead the team for the third time

Price added: "Ernie and I have been good friends for a long time, and I'm thrilled he has agreed to join the International Team as a captain's assistant. His Presidents Cup and match-play records are exceptional, and he is extremely well-respected by his fellow players, which is such an asset in the team room and on the golf course.

"I wouldn't want to serve as captain again without Tony Johnstone by my side. He's been with me every step of the way - not only as part of the 2013 and 2015 teams, but also as my good friend and confidant since childhood. Tony's positive attitude is mixed with a competitive spirit that makes him the perfect team leader.

"Geoff loves the Presidents Cup, and that passion for the event will make him an invaluable asset to the team. He also has a great relationship with many of the potential International Team members, especially the younger players. His insight and perspective will be a welcomed addition to the process."

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