Presidents Cup Controversy

Captain Gary Player Picks Mike Weir over Higher Ranked Stephen Ames

Aug 16, 2007

Nearing the President's Cup, Player sees the wisdom of picking a Canadian for his team. He touched off a controversy, as he's been prone to do lately, in the process.

The President’s Cup, which pits the best United States professional golfers against their International counterparts, will be held next month at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. Captains Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player have both finalized their respective team rosters.

Player, knowing that a Canadian on the International team would generate fervent interest in the host country, wouldn’t initially agree to include a Canadian on the International team just for that sake. In June, when asked about picking a Candian golfer, Player responded, "Is this a sentimental tournament or is it to try and win?" ("Weir is in, Ames is Out," The Globe and Mail, Toronto, Canada, August 14, 2007)

As the weeks rolled by, the International team Captain presumably saw the wisdom of using at least one of his two Captain’s Picks on a Canadian. Being as intelligent about golf as he is, it’s safe to say that realization came at the same time as he perused the qualifications of host country golfers. In the end, he used his Captain’s Picks on Australian Nick O’Hern and Canadian Mike Weir.

Weir: Canadian hero, Masters champion, seven-time winner on the PGA Tour. There couldn’t have been a better choice, except possibly his fellow countryman Steven Ames. In the Official World Golf Ranking, Ames is 36th, Weir is 46th. On the PGA Tour money list, Ames ranks 54th. Weir sits at 84th. Of the players eligible for inclusion on the international team, Ames ranked 16th, while Weir was 20th.

Surprisingly, though disappointed, Ames is taking it in stride. Says Ames, "You've got to give all respect to Mike. He's won seven times on tour...He's been on three President's Cup teams and

he's got a record of 8-6. What have I got? I've got two wins in the last two years and I've been the best Canadian player. He (Player) had to go in that direction. Without a doubt." (Canadian Press)

It seems to be the golf pundits who have the problem with Player’s selection of Weir over Ames. Some feel that the Black Knight’s pick was more of a popularity contest, with the Masters champion winning hands-down in that category. Whether right or wrong, the Internationals will now be the home team, as if they needed another advantage given the team they have assembled.

The President’s Cup will take place September 24th through 30th at the Royal Montreal Golf Club. Royal Montreal, founded in 1873 and the oldest golf club in North America, has played host to the Canadian Open nine times, the last coming in 2001. The President’s Cup will be a great revival for the old course.

The copyright of the article Presidents Cup Controversy in PGA Tour is owned by Alan L. Hammond. Permission to republish Presidents Cup Controversy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.