Holmes to replace Furyk at Presidents Cup

Jim Furyk, who was due to make his eighth appearance as a member of the U.S. Presidents Cup Team, announced today that he would be unable to compete in the event due to an ongoing wrist injury.

U.S. Team Captain Jay Haas has replaced Furyk with J.B. Holmes, who finished No. 12 in the final team standings. Furyk will travel to Korea to serve as a fourth captain’s assistant. Fred Couples, Davis Love III and Steve Stricker are Haas' other three captain's assistants.

The Presidents Cup will be held Oct. 8-11 at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea in Songdo IBD, Incheon City, Korea. This will be the first Presidents Cup held in Asia. 

“Jim did everything he could to be ready, and I'm sad that he won't be able to play,” Haas said. “He’s a totally selfless team player who will be missed. He’s had another great year, and I believe he was pointing toward this event to cap it off. Even though he won't be able to play, to have both Tabitha and him in Korea will be a boost to the entire team. With that said, J.B. is excited for the opportunity and will be ready to play. He’s had two top 10s to end the FedExCup Playoffs, so he’s playing well and he’ll be a good fit. We’re all looking forward to a great week.”

Holmes will be making his Presidents Cup debut. He also played on the United States' victorious team in the 2008 Ryder Cup, going 2-0-1 in his home state of Kentucky. He also played on the United States' victorious 2005 Walker Cup team.

Holmes, a four-time PGA TOUR winner, won this year's Shell Houston Open and had runners-up at the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship and Farmers Insurance Open. He finished a career-best 14th in the FedExCup after closing the FedExCup Playoffs with a T4 at the BMW Championship and T8 at the TOUR Championship by Coca-Cola.

“My heart goes out to Jim because I know how much The Presidents Cup means to him,” Holmes said. “Obviously, he has been a leader for our team for many years and he will be greatly missed. I am, however, very honored and excited to get the call from Captain Haas to make the trip to South Korea to help the U.S. Team retain the Cup.

“Having personally experienced a victory in the Ryder Cup in 2008, I know firsthand what a phenomenal feeling it is to win for the United States and your teammates. I have always loved playing in team competitions, and, clearly, playing on the U.S. Presidents Cup Team represents the pinnacle of such team competitions. I am so excited for this honor and look forward to joining my great teammates in Korea.”

Furyk was forced to withdraw from the final two events of the FedExCup Playoffs to rehabilitate a bone contusion on his left wrist. Under The Presidents Cup Captains’ Agreement, Haas had until 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 to select any eligible player to replace an injured player.

“There is nothing I take more pride in than representing the United States in The Presidents Cup and the Ryder Cup, and I am deeply disappointed that I will have to withdraw from playing because my wrist, although improving, is still not where it needs to be at this point,” said Furyk. “There are few people I respect more than Jay Haas, who I partnered with in The Presidents Cup in 2003 in South Africa, and I’m very grateful to accept the invitation to be part of the team as assistant captain.”