Steve Stricker, Nick Price to captain 2017 Presidents Cup teams
The two captains who will face off in the 2017 Presidents Cup were announced Tuesday, with Nick Price getting a third run as the International leader and Steve Stricker taking over as the U.S. captain from Jay Haas.
Haas led the U.S. to a one-point win last October in South Korea, played under a revamped format that allowed Price, as International captain, more opportunity to bench poorly performing players.
It was Price who implored PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem, who oversees the Presidents Cup, to make those changes in hopes of giving the International side a better opportunity to win. While the changes seemed to have a clear impact, the team came up short.
Stricker becomes the third American captain in as many editions of the biennial match. In 2013, Fred Couples wrapped up a three-match -- and three-win -- run as captain. Haas took his turn in 2015.
“I’m incredibly honored to have been selected as a U.S. team captain for the Presidents Cup, and am looking forward to it coming to Liberty National, one of my favorite venues," said Stricker, who went 14-10 in five Presidents Cup appearances. "This event has meant a lot to me, and I’m looking forward to leading what will be a very promising U.S. team in 2017.”
Price gets a third chance at captain, as did Peter Thomson, who captained in 1996, '98 and 2000, as well Gary Player, who was at the helm in 2003, '05 and '07.
“It’s an honor for me to continue to serve as International team captain once again in 2017,” said Price. “The Presidents Cup has meant so much to me and to my career, both as a player and a captain, and I’m excited to have another chance to be a part of this great event. I am so looking forward to leading what I'm sure will be another very strong International Team and having another opportunity to win the Cup, after such a close finish last year."
The 2017 edition of the matches, in which the U.S. has a 9-1-1 record, will take place Sept. 28-Oct. 1 at Liberty National in Jersey City, N.J. The Americans have never lost on home soil, losing in Australia in 1998 and tying in South Africa in 2003.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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