Haas and Funk chosen for President's Cup

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Aug. 18 (UPI) -- Jay Haas and Fred Funk were chosen on Monday to round out 12-man team that will compete for the United States Presidents Cup team in November.

Nicklaus said he considered British Open winner Ben Curtis, PGA champion Shaun Micheel, and PGA runner-up Chad Campbell, but in the end decided experience was an invaluable asset.

"I felt the stability of a couple of older players would help the team," Nicklaus said. "Fred is one of the most enthusiastic guys on the tour. He said, 'I'd row a boat to South Africa to get there.' I selected Jay because he's had a wonderful year, and he's had a lot of International experience."

Haas is 49, and Funk, the former golf coach at the University of Maryland, is 47. They join Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, Jim Furyk, David Toms, Kenny Perry, Phil Mickelson, Justin Leonard, Chris DiMarco, Jerry Kelly, and Charles Howell.

International captain Gary Player chose K.J. Choi of South Korea and Tim Clark of South Africa. His team also includes, among others, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Nick Price, Mike Weir and Retief Goosen.

The event will be held at the Gary Player-designed Links Course in George, South Africa, Nov. 20-23.