Presidents Cup teams loaded on both sides

TULSA, Okla. -- Once again, the world team looks like world-beaters.

The 20 automatic picks for the Presidents Cup were locked up on Sunday night after the 89th PGA Championship, and once again, the International squad looks like serious favorites in their upcoming matches with the Americans in Montreal.

Woody Austin finished in second place at the PGA Championship. (AP)

Of course, that hasn't done them much good the past two times against the otherwise beleaguered players on the U.S. team, who might have their struggles against the Europeans in the Ryder Cup, but hold their own in the game's other premier cup match.

The Americans have won and tied their International counterparts in the past two matches, which were tenfold more exciting than the team's back-to-back blowout losses to Europe in the Ryder. The Presidents Cup matches will be held at the oldest club in North America, Royal Montreal, on Sept. 27-30, one week after the Fed Ex Cup playoffs are completed.

One of the great mysteries is why the U.S. team plays up to its potential in the Presidents matches, but stumbles so frequently in the Ryder? Or, rather, why the Internationals never seem to live up to its promise? The team finalized Sunday features players from non-European countries picked from the world rankings, and to make the team, players had to be ranked in the top 25 in the world.

"Normally the Presidents Cup side on paper looks pretty strong, but we don't seem to perform as well as the Europeans," South African star Retief Goosen said. "They always look the weaker side on paper and win, and we look pretty strong and don't."

There wasn't a lot of last-minute upheaval on either team. American veteran Woody Austin made a huge jump from 18th into the 10th spot to secure his first berth on an international cup team, displacing rising star Lucas Glover, who dropped to 11th. Only the top 10 players secure automatic berths and U.S. captain Jack Nicklaus and International counterpart Gary Player will announce two at-large picks Monday at 10 a.m. EDT

The feisty Austin, 43, needed to finish second at the PGA Championship and did exactly that.

"He's competitive and I think that's what you need on those teams," Tiger Woods said. "You need someone who will get out there and give it his best, and give it everything he's got, give his heart and soul in every match in every round.

"Being so emotional, I think that's a good thing in team events. I think he will certainly enhance the team."

The remainder of the U.S. team, which is chosen off the PGA Tour money list: Woods, Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, Charles Howell, David Toms, Scott Verplank, Steve Stricker and Stewart Cink.

Likewise, there was one player displaced on the International team, with Aussie standout Stuart Appleby knocking Argentina's Andres Romero out of the 10th and final spot. Appleby lost the deciding match to American Chris DiMarco in the Presidents Cup finale two years ago.

Mike Weir and Stephen Ames, two Canadians, finished well down the International list and will need to be added as captain's picks in order to crack the lineup.

"I wouldn't want to be Gary tomorrow," International team member Geoff Ogilvy said. "I think it's hard picks. You have to think about Mike Weir in Canada, who is going to give the team a lift and it will be so much better if he is there."

In additional to Goosen, Ogilvy and Appleby, the International roster is composed of Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Vijay Singh, Rory Sabbatini, K.J. Choi, Angel Cabrera and Trevor Immelman. Els finished third Sunday and Immelman and Ogilvy tied for sixth. Appleby, Rose, Scott, Choi and Ames all finished in the top 12.

"Obviously, on paper, we have a helluva strong team, but we've had a terrible record in that tournament," Immelman said. "Hopefully our big guns are ready for it, come out and lead the way for us."