Glover Named to United States President’s Cup Team

Aug. 13, 2007

Clemson, SC – Former Clemson All-American Lucas Glover was named to the United States President’s Cup team by Team Captain Jack Nicklaus on Monday. Glover was one of two captains choice selections made by Nicklaus, who also selected former Oklahoma State All-American Hunter Mahan.

Glover is the first Clemson golfer to be named to a United States President’s Cup team. He had been in line for an automatic selection (top 10 in points), but slipped from 10th to 11th place in the points standings when Woody Austin finished second at the PGA Championships this past weekend.

The President’s Cup will be played at the Royal Montreal Club in Montreal, Canada, September 27-30. The event will be televised by TNT on the 27th and 28th and on NBC on the 29th and 30th. The United States holds a 4-1-1 lead in the series against the International Team, including a 18.5to 15.5 victory two years ago in Virginia. Gary Player is the captain of the International team and selected Mike Weir and Nick O’Hern as his captain’s picks on Monday.

Glover will be among golf’s best when he competes in this event. The other 10 players on the American team are Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Zack Johnson, Charles Howell III, David Toms, Scott Verplank, Steve Stricker, Stewart Cink and Woody Austin.

“Lucas Glover has been in the top 10 (of the President’s Cup Points) for most of the last two years,” said Nicklaus in announcing Glover as a team member. “He was just bumped out of the top 10 this past week when Woody Austin finished second at the PGA. He deserved to be picked for this team. He has been on the verge of making United States teams previously.

“Obviously, we had to think about whether we wanted experience or youth,” Nicklaus said. “My experience wasn’t playing well. They all missed the cut at the PGA. I conferred with (assistant captain) Jeff Sluman, and we knew the only way to get experience is to get the opportunity to play.” At 25, Mahan will be the youngest player on the team, while Glover, 27, will be the second youngest.

The Americans have three players with only one international competition under their belts, as well as the three rookies in Mahan, Glover and Austin. Nicklaus, though, is not worried.

“Why should the next time be the first time they get to play? Both Lucas and Hunter have big futures in this game.” Glover has played in PGA Match Play events previously and was a member of the United States Walker Cup team in 2001, the summer after his senior year at Clemson.

Glover was excited to be chosen. “Obviously, I am very excited to play for him (Nicklaus) and for my country. I was watching the board pretty close (on Sunday). I knew Woody would probably bump me out, so it was pretty nerve-wracking. Mr. Nicklaus called me yesterday when I was in the Atlanta airport.

Glover does not have a lot of match play experience, but is anxious for the opportunity. “There are some different nuances with match play, but not a big difference. You still have to hit good shots and make some putts. I will take some advice from the veterans.”

Glover finished in a tie for 50th at the PGA, but came into the season’s final major playing well with four top-12s and one tie for 27th. He had also contended for a Ryder Cup spot last year, but fell to 14th after the PGA and was not selected, so the Presidents Cup berth was particularly satisfying.

For the year, Glover ranks 46th on the PGA Tour money list with $1,309,631 and is 45th in the FedEx Cup standings. He has played in 23 events and made 17 cuts, including nine top 25 finishes, three of which have been top 10s.

Glover was an All-American at Clemson between 1998-2001 when he played on four top 10 Clemson teams, including the national runner-up teams of 1998 and 2001. He was a first-team All-American in 2000 and 2001 and finished in the top 15 in the nation in the Sagarin computer rankings his final three seasons.