Love joins Haas as assistant captain to Couples at 2013 Presidents Cup

DUBLIN, Ohio -- U.S. Presidents Cup Captain Fred Couples has tapped one of his best friends, Davis Love III, as one of his assistants for this fall's team competition at Muirfield Village. 

Both Love and Couples are playing in the Memorial this week, also at Muirfield. Love said he was surprised to join Jay Haas on Couples' staff. 

"I really actually wasn't expecting it because we hadn't talked about it," Love said. "To be around a team again so soon is really great for me, because we had a great experience for two years. It would be nice to jump right back in and let him make the speeches." 

Love was captain of the U.S. Ryder Cup team last fall which built a gaping 10-6 lead heading into the final day but then lost eight singles matches and tied one to lose, 14 to 13. The victory was Europe's fifth in the last six matches. 

The 49-year-old Love can't wait to get back into a team competition, but would prefer to do it as a player. He had surgery on his neck in February and didn't play until The Players Championship earlier this month. 

Love said he preferred to be in a support role on the team. 

"I'll be the behind-the-scenes golf-cart charger or whatever," he said. 

Love holds a 16-8-5 record in Presidents Cup play, including a 5-2-1 mark when teamed with Couples. 

"He is one of my closest friends," Couples said in announcing the decision. 

The Presidents Cup will be played Oct. 3-6. 

Love said he would like nothing more than to someday be in charge of the American side. 

"I would love to do it," he said. "Hopefully down the road a Presidents Cup captaincy will come up. It would be fun." 

The International team is led by captain Nick Price, with assistants Shigeki Maruyama, Mark McNulty and Tony Johnstone.