If Phil Doesn't Play Pres Cup, Who Takes His Place?

In yesterday's Presidents Cup press conference, American captain Fred Couples basically laid out that his two captain's picks would be US Open champion Lucas Glover and Hunter Mahan.

"I've got some guys that you know can string a win and go," Couples said.  "Before when I was talking to a couple of people, the obvious ones to me would be Lucas and Hunter with Brian Gay."

But, there is an off chance that Couples will have to make a third selection.  In the event that Phil Mickelson opts to remain home with his family in lieu of playing the Pres Cup, then Fred Couples would get a third selection.

Taking quite a leap into Blind Conjecture Land, who would Couples pick?  Brian Gay - who Couples feels is injured?  Maybe Nick Watney?  Jerry Kelly?  How about David Toms?

Couples said he was looking at maybe around six guys for his two captain's picks, but making a third may not come with the same conviction with which Couples talked about Mahan and Glover.

Then again, by comparison the decision may be easy.  International Captain Greg Norman said he is looking at up to 40 players for two spots, though realistically closer to the teens.

Still, to Couples, it appears unlikely that he'll have to make that decision.

"I believe in my heart he's going to play, so we want him there. We want Amy there. If he's listening to this, I don't think I'm saying anything wrong, I'm counting on him being there and I think he wants to be there."