Nicklaus, Player finalize Presidents Cup teams By Helen Ross PGATOUR.com Chief of Correspondents SPRINGFIELD, N.J. -- U.S. Captain Jack Nicklaus, as expected, went with experience while his International counterpart, Gary Player, surprised many when the two long-time friends announced the men who would complete their Presidents Cup teams Monday. Nicklaus chose Fred Couples and Justin Leonard, who each have played in three previous Presidents Cup. Player, on the other hand, picked Peter Lonard, who played for him at the 2003 matches in South Africa, and rookie Trevor Immelman. In doing so, Player passed over the man many thought he would select -- Steve Elkington, who finished in joint second at the PGA Championship on Monday, one stroke behind the champion Phil Mickelson. The Aussie had played in three previous Presidents Cups, compiling an 8-4-3 record. "I said that anyone who wins a major would automatically be put on the team," Player said. "If he had won, no question, he would have been on the team. It's a tough job when you are making your picks. There's always good news and bad news, though. That's the job of being the captain." Feature content Multimedia FREE: Replay Monday's news conference with Presidents Cup captains Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player Player felt Lonard, who picked up his first PGA TOUR victory earlier this year, had played consistently all season. The 38-year-old from Brisbane, Australia, compiled a 2-2 mark at the last Presidents Cup, including a win in singles. "I love his aggressiveness when he plays golf," the International team captain said. Immelman, who has three wins on the European Tour, impressed Player with his performance in the majors. The 25-year-old South African tied for fifth at the Masters, shared 15th at the British Open and tied for 17th at the PGA. "He's truly an international golfer," Player said. "He's a great shot-maker and he has a lot of experience. He's an extremely focused young man and he has played exceptionally well in majors." Lonard finished 12th in the International Team standings -- one place out of the 10 who automatically qualify since Ernie Els is sidelined -- while Immelman was 22nd. The standings are based on the Official World Golf Ranking. "It is very, very difficult (to make the final two picks)," Player said. "You've got to trust your instincts. ... You've got to go with what you feel, who you think will be able to perform, how they are playing at this moment. Is the glass going up or down?" Nicklaus got experience and proven talent in his two picks. Couples, who finished 17th in the U.S. Team standings, has an 8-3-1 record in Presidents Cup play and has partnered Davis Love III in many international competitions. He's also an honorary member at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, which hosts the Presidents Cup Sept. 19-25, and has a 6-1 record there. Leonard's Presidents Cup record of 3-9-1 isn't stellar, but two of those winning points came two years ago at the Links at Fancourt. He also sank the clinching putt in singles at the 1999 Ryder Cup and has two wins this year on the PGA TOUR. "I am trying to represent the United States with the best team we can field," Nicklaus said. "Not always does the points system reflect what you feel are the best players." Nicklaus called Zach Johnson, who was 12th in the U.S. standings, one behind Leonard, on Monday morning to tell him who he'd picked. While Johnson finished strong with a tie for second at the Buick Open and a share of 17th at the PGA Championship, he had missed the cut in the year's other three majors. The U.S. captain told Johnson, though, that "if we had an injury, he would be my first alternate." Nicklaus was pleased with his team overall. "I think I've got as good a team as I can have," he said. "I think I've got as much experience as I can have. I've got depth I've got leadership. I've got all the things I want in a team. All guys want to play and are looking forward to the matches." Player, on the other hand, has a big void to fill with the loss of Els, who had knee surgery several weeks ago and will be sidelined much of the rest of the year. "You can't replace a man of Ernie's ability," Player said. "He's one of the top-three players in world. That is a tremendous setback for us. But we've got to go ahead. The show goes on. "I've got a very capable team. We have guys who've had a lot of experience and done well on the international scene. But it will be very difficult to beat an American team on home soil."