Elling: Nicklaus Open To Ryder Cup Captaincy

Take that Faldo and McGinley!

Talk about a juicy Ryder Cup story on the even of the President's Cup. Steve Elling explains. 

The game's most revered figure was shooting the breeze with a handful of writers when the subject of future captaincies was broached. Nicklaus has served as the American captain of the past three Presidents Cup teams, but hasn't so much as attended a Ryder Cup in years. He last captained a Ryder team in 1987. For the past few years, the Americans have gushed about how Nicklaus' managerial style keeps them loose but focused on the task at hand, vs. the micro-managing of other captains. So maybe the best way for the Ryder Cup to move forward after absorbing consecutive losses by record margins to Europe is to move backward first.

"If I happened to get asked, would I do it again, sure," Nicklaus said. "It's very flattering. I didn't expect to do it again this time (at the Presidents Cup), as you know."

After winning the Presidents Cup in Washington, D.C., in 2005, the U.S. players practically insisted that he return.

"I love being involved in the game of golf," Nicklaus said. "I love being around these young guys. That's something money cannot buy."

I guess that pretty much rules out Larry Nelson for consideration in 2010 at that dreadful course in Wales.