Couples - Woods is one of my picks

Tiger Woods has already been told that he is one of Fred Couples' captain's picks for the Presidents Cup at Royal Melbourne.

Earlier this week Woods said he was considering playing in the PGA Fall series to give himself a better chance of making the team, but Couples has now told him he is one of his two wild cards.

Couples had previously stated he would like to see the former world number one play in more competitions than just the Australian Open, which takes place the week before the Presidents Cup in November.

The early decision to name Woods as a pick will come as a surprise to many. It now looks likely that one of Jim Furyk, Rickie Fowler, Zach Johnson or USPGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley will miss out.

Speaking to the press, Couples says, "I told him that he's going to be on the team. The question came up and there's no reason for me to wait until 26 September to pick Tiger.

"He's the best player in the world forever. Is he playing well right now? No. He almost won Augusta four months ago, so you don't do that by playing poor golf."

After finishing fourth at the US Masters, Woods then missed the US Open and Open through injury. He made his comeback at the WGC Invitational at Bridgestone finishing 37th.

The following week he missed the cut at the USPGA Championship and is now ranked 36th in the world. It is the lowest position he has held since his first season as a professional in 1997.