Tiger-Thomas Pairing to kick off Presidents Cup

Captain Tiger Woods will kick off the United States’ bid for an eighth successive victory in the Presidents Cup when he combines with Justin Thomas in the opening match of the fourballs at Royal Melbourne on Thursday.

Woods picked himself to play with Justin Thomas versus the global workforce of Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann at Royal Melbourne.

Woods and his assistant captains conferred at length before revealing their opening pair on Wednesday, but the 15-times major champion said there had been no last-minute wavering.

“I think from our side, we had a game plan (with) who we wanted to start out, and we were committed to putting Justin and myself out there, and that’s who we’re rolling with,” Woods stated.

“Having my responsibility as a player, I want to get out there and play with Justin, but also as a captain, I want to see my guys play.”

Woods gave Dustin Johnson, who is on the comeback trail from a knee injury, a vote of confidence by naming the long hitter in a pair with Gary Woodland in the last of Thursday’s five fourball matches.

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“I think from our side, we had a game plan (with) who we wanted to start out, and we were committed to putting Justin and myself out there, and that’s who we’re rolling with,” Woods stated.

Woods, who’s the main enjoying captain inside the competition for the reason that inaugural Presidents Cup, has a 24-15-1 document in eight appearances inside the experience.

He stated his assistant, Steve Stricker, will take over the captain duties and be allowed to provide recommendation whereas he takes section in. Stricker used to be once the U.S. Presidents Cup captain in 2017 and is the 2020 Ryder Cup captain.

Woods said his assistant Steve Stricker would take over his captaincy duties while he was on the course.

The U.S. team arrived at Royal Melbourne on Tuesday, a day later than the Internationals, after a delay in their long-haul travel from the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.

“We wish we could have gotten here on Monday, but we were a little bit delayed,” said Woods. “I got a chance to play all of yesterday. Played a little bit today … The preparation is very simple.”

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