[IMAGE: Gregory Shamus]
United States captain Davis Love III announced Wednesday that Steve Stricker and Webb Simpson will serve as his final two assistant captains for the upcoming Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow.
Stricker, 55, is a former Presidents Cup captain, guiding the 2017 American team to a resounding victory at Liberty National, and recently led the US to a win in last year’s Ryder Cup. He competed in five Presidents Cups as a player and was also an assistant to Tiger Woods at the 2019 event at Royal Melbourne. Stricker has 12 PGA Tour career wins and added a senior Major championship earlier this year at the Regions Tradition.
“Steve has been a great friend to so many players on the PGA Tour throughout the years, and I know that camaraderie he brings to both the golf course and the team room will be incredibly valuable in September,” Love said in a statement. “As we look at this youth movement on the US team, having Steve as a trusted ally in tense situations is something I know our players will lean on.”
Simpson, 36, has competed in three Presidents Cups, including the 2019 match, as well as three Ryder Cups for the Americans. He is a seven-time tour winner, highlighted by triumphs at the 2012 US Open and 2018 Players Championship. Simpson is also a native of Charlotte and is a member at Quail Hollow.
“I’m excited to see the Presidents Cup contested on my home course in a great sports town like Charlotte, and I know the fans are going to show up with tremendous support for the US team,” Simpson said. “I’ve had the good fortune of playing for Davis in past international events and he will have this team prepared to play each day. It’s an honour to be named a captain’s assistant and I look forward to helping the guys with a bit of course knowledge and a fun, enjoyable team atmosphere.”
Stricker and Simpson join a staff that features 2023 Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson and three-time Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples. Trevor Immelman, the International captain and 2008 Masters winner, will be helped out by Mike Weir, Geoff Ogilvy, K.J. Choi and Camilo Villegas.
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The top six players in the US Presidents Cup standings after the BMW Championship will automatically qualify for the event, with Love announcing his captain’s picks after the Tour Championship. The International team’s top eight automatically qualify, with Immelman picking four players to round out his roster after East Lake.
The 2022 Presidents Cup begins September 20 at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte. The Americans are the defending champs.
