Love Announces Order of Play for 2012 Ryder Cup


In addition to naming Fred Couples and Mike Hulbert as his assistants for the 2012 U.S. Ryder Cup Team, captain Davis Love III announced the order of play for each of the two days of team matches, with foursomes (alternate shot) as the format for each morning session, followed by four-ball (best ball) in the afternoon. The order of play by Love is the same selected by Paul Azinger, the victorious U.S. captain in 2008.

Couples and Hulbert will serve September 28-30, as the U.S. hosts Europe in the 39th Ryder Cup at Medinah (Ill.) Country Club. Couples, 52, the 1992 Masters champion, is a veteran of five Ryder Cup Teams (1989, '91, '93, '95, '97), posting a 7-9-4 record. He's also served as an unbeaten captain in the Presidents Cup, guiding the U.S. to wins in 2009 and 2011, and returns to that position in 2013.

Hulbert, 54, served as assistant to 2002 U.S. Ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange. Hulbert has not competed in a Ryder Cup.

"Success for any team in a Ryder Cup begins with a strong support staff, giving encouragement to players at the right time in the greatest event in golf," said Love. "Fred and Mike are my trusted friends, guys that I have played a lot of golf with, and two guys that other players like to be around and work with. We will face great challenges this September and I'm very pleased that they have agreed to join me."

Couples and Love were teammates during the 1993, '95 and '97 Ryder Cup, and teamed to win four consecutive (1992-95) World Cup of Golf titles. Hulbert's ties to Love include a pair of meetings in the former Kapalua International in Hawaii. Hulbert defeated Love in a playoff on Kapalua's Plantation Course in 1991, and returned a year later to finish runner-up to his friend by a stroke. Prior to joining the Champions Tour, Hulbert caddied in early 2008 for Love at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am and the Northern Trust Open.

The United States points system will determine the top eight players for the 2012 United States Ryder Cup team on August 12, following completion of the 94th PGA Championship at the Ocean Course in Kiawah Island, S.C. In addition, Love selects four players on September 4 in New York City to complete the United States Team.

This September, the U.S. will attempt to win back the biennial Ryder Cup, which it relinquished in 2010, following Europe's 14½ to 13½ victory in Wales. The U.S. last won a Ryder Cup in 2008 after a 16½-11½ victory at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Ky.

European captain Jose Maria Olazabal will complete his 12-member team August 26, with two captain's selections following the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.

The above report is courtesy of the PGA of America. For more information, visit www.pga.com.