ATLANTA – The blueprint that Paul Azinger used so well at the 2008 Ryder Cup lives on for another U.S. team as the home side prepares for next week’s Presidents Cup in New Jersey.
According to numerous sources, U.S. captain Steve Stricker will use a pods system similar to the one Azinger made famous at Valhalla that allows for flexibility and familiarity in the team portion of the competition.
Each pod includes two rookies and two veterans, which is not surprising given the relative inexperience of Stricker’s team.
Sources say Dustin Johnson and Matt Kuchar will be in the same pod as rookies Kevin Kisner and Kevin Chappell; Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed are with Brooks Koepka and Daniel Berger; and Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler are with Justin Thomas and Charley Hoffman.