The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Nicklaus, Player have a score to settle

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 29, 2004

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Sport - Golf

Nicklaus, Player have a score to settle

JACKSONVILLE (FLORIDA), APRIL 28. Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player will return as captains for the Presidents Cup in 2005, giving them a chance to settle a draw they negotiated last year in South Africa.

"I know Gary and I both feel like we have some unfinished business to take care of from last time," Nicklaus said on Tuesday after being selected as Presidents Cup captain for the third time. Nicklaus and Player agreed to a draw instead of extending a sudden-death playoff between Tiger Woods and Ernie Els.

"Let's see if we can find a decisive winner," Player said. "The odds of tying in a match like that are remote." But it could happen again.

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said the playoff format has been eliminated. If the teams are tied after 34 matches next year, they simply will share the cup. That's what transpired in November, a confusing conclusion to a phenomenal display by Woods and Els under the most intense pressure.

After the Americans rallied on the Links Course at Fancourt by winning 7-1/2 points in 12 singles matches, Woods and Els were chosen by their captains to decide the cup in a sudden-death playoff. Flanked by their teammates, caddies and wives on every shot, Els made a 12-foot par putt on the second extra hole, and Woods followed with a 4-footer. As darkness fell, Woods made a 15-foot par putt on the next hole, and Els holed a 6-foot par putt to keep their teams and some 10,000 fans in suspense. — AP

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