2011 Presidents Cup: Fred Couples Puts Tiger Woods on His Heels

Tiger Woods being left off of the Presidents Cup Team?

Five years ago that statement would have sounded about as ridiculous as a Wall Street executive apologizing for being greedy.

But this is not 2006, and even U.S. Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples seems to have been rattled by the state of Woods’ game at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, where he tied for 37th, and the PGA Championship, where he posted scores of 77-73 and missed the cut.

And if you know anything about Couples, you will know that it takes a lot to rattle “Freddie Cool.”

Ten players automatically qualify for the U.S. Presidents Cup team based on points accumulated over the past two years. Couples is then given two captains picks which he will announce on September 26 to round out his 12-man squad, which will compete against a team of non-European International players at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Victoria, Australia on November 14 to 20.

At this moment, Woods is ranked 28th in the Presidents Cup point standings. So based on points alone, Woods wouldn’t even qualify for America’s B Team.

A little over a month ago, Couples told Golf Channel, "[Woods] is the best player in the world for a long time. He has slipped a little in rankings maybe, the way he is shooting scores, but he is still Tiger, and if I am captain, I will pretty much take him anytime we go."

Two weeks ago, Couples reiterated his stance on Woods by telling Golf Channel’s Tim Rosaforte, "Tiger's a guy I want on my team. I can't imagine not having him on the team. If he has to be picked there will be somebody upset, because they probably had an incredible year. He'll be great to have on the team."

But fast forward two weeks and, as expected, Couples is now singing a much different tune.

Speaking yesterday at the Constellation Energy Seniors Players Championship at Westchester Country Club in Harrison, NY, Couples said that Woods “can't just show up the week before in Australia.”

Couples then went on to say that ''I have made it clear that whoever I picked will be playing the Australian tournament the week before. But I need him to play more than just there. There's quite a few tournaments after the Tour Championship.''

Following his press conference, Couples told Golf Digest, ''From what I see, he's looking to turn it around quicker, but not playing much golf. He may read that and say, 'Screw him.' I mean he's my favorite player. But to get better, you gotta play. I just don't know how he can sit there and think his game is going to improve.”

In just two weeks, Woods went from being an automatic Presidents Cup captain’s pick to being placed in one of the most awkward situations he has ever faced, at least as it pertains to golf.

You see, Woods did not qualify for the 2011 FedEx Cup, which begins next week at Plainfield Country Club in Edison, New Jersey, and his next scheduled appearance is not until the Australian Open in November. 

So, if Woods wants to make Couples' Presidents Cup team, he will need to attend either a Nationwide Tour event, a European Tour event or make some kind of promise to Couples that he will attend at least one PGA Tour Fall Series event.

If you’ve followed Woods’ career even casually over the past 14 years, you will know that Woods DOES NOT attend Nationwide Tour events or Fall Series Events  and only makes appearances on the European Tour when there is a $3 million appearance fee involved. 

In a 15-minute press conference, Couples has essentially done what very few men in golf have ever been able to do to Woods. He put the 14-time major champion on his heels.

Now, because of Couples’ statements, Woods is forced to either swallow his pride and attend events that he would undoubtedly view as inferior to his status in the game, or show the world that he cares little about joining his fellow Americans at the 2011 Presidents Cup matches, which would not be a good thing for a public image that has already been run over by a Mack truck.

Woods may shun Couples for putting him in this situation, after all, that’s what Woods tends to do to people who attempt to assert power over him.       

But this is one situation where, like it or not, Woods is completely powerless. Couples is the captain and unless Woods attends at least one of these second tier events in the next two months, his trip to Australia is going to be a week shorter than he had originally planned...and his public image will take yet another devastating hit.

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