But Nicklaus does not anticipate any problems.

"I think the fellas that make the team will be there," he said.

The PGA Tour also designated Gary Player as captain of the International team.

That is a logical choice because the matches will be held in his homeland and played on the Links Golf Course at the Fancourt Hotel and Country Club, which Player designed.

"No other player better symbolises the international nature of the game than Gary Player," PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said.

Player won nine majors, the career Grand Slam and 163 titles worldwide.

Nicklaus is the first US captain to be picked for the second time. In 1998, he took an American team to Royal Melbourne in Australia that suffered the worst loss in U.S. history in team match play, 20 1/2-11 1/2

This time, the task might involve more than captain's picks, pairings and uniforms.

Players have been dropping hints during the past 18 months that a Presidents Cup or a Ryder Cup every year is becoming a grind, especially when a trip halfway around the world is involved.

Soon after winning back the Presidents Cup in October at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, Woods, Davis Love III and Phil Mickelson were among those who expressed reservations about going South Africa.

"That's asking a lot," Woods said at the time. "Some of the players . . . will do it. And other players may be a little more hesitant."

Woods did not say which side he was on.

But the tour's selection of Nicklaus gives it a captain who could be difficult to turn down, although Finchem said that's not why Nicklaus was chosen. Among other candidates was Lee Elder, who openly campaigned for the job.

"Jack was selected because we thought he would be the best captain," Finchem said.