Sluman chooses pairings for bed-ridden Nicklaus

JEFF SLUMAN found out quickly that being the assistant captain for the US team at the Presidents Cup was hardly an honorary position.

Sluman, the former PGA champion who has never played in a Ryder Cup or a Presidents Cup, was in charge of the opening-round pairings Wednesday, while Jack Nicklaus was confined to his bed with flu-like symptoms.

"Jack looked at me at 3:30pm and said, 'I trust your judgement. You know what you're doing, you know the players'," Sluman said.