Jack's advice

DIVOTS

Jack Nicklaus has compared the Ryder Cup captaincy to a "glorified caddie". Without meaning any disrespect to the position, the former US Ryder Cup captain downplayed the role of a captain in the premier competition.

"It's a real honour to be captain (but) I don't think it affects the final result," he was quoted as saying. He added: "The only thing that's demanding is you're almost like a caddie "" you have to show up, keep up and shut up."

That was also his advice to Hal Sutton, this year's US Ryder Cup captain. Nicklaus said he never had tried to give a motivational speech to his Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup players and nor does he wish to hear one when he was playing. Nicklaus was twice Ryder Cup captain "" in 1983 and 1987.

Furyk returns

The lure of the US Open is really strong for defending champion Jim Furyk. So much so, Furyk, who was expected to be out of action till July following his wrist injury, has decided to bring forward his return in time to play at Shinnecock Hills this week.

Furyk, who last week played his first round in a long time at Ponte Vedra, has been testing his wrists by playing nine holes at a time. Furyk maintains that there is no risk of further injury unless he did something "really violent"' with the club.

In 2003, Furyk tied the 72-hole scoring record at Olympia Fields for his first Major. He had a surgery on March 22 to repair the torn cartilage in his left wrist.

Wie magic

Teenage prodigy Michelle Wie helped to retain the Curtis Cup last week as the US won a 10-8 victory over Britain and Ireland. The Americans have now won four straight and 24 overall in the biennial amateur competition, which has been played 33 times.

The 14-year-old Wie thrashed Nicola Timmins 6 and 5 to give the US a 7-6 lead. Wie, the youngest player in Curtis Cup history, was part of a team that did not have a single player over 22 years of age.

Wie, Paula Creamer, Annie Thurman each won two singles matches for the US. A win by Britain and Ireland would have given Europe and British teams another cup. They already hold the Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and Walker Cup. The Presidents Cup ended in a draw.

Sorenstam's goal

Annika Sorenstam, who is passing milestones in a hurry, won her seventh Major when she grabbed the McDonald's LPGA Championship. That also took her tally to 51 titles overall, and she is now eight short of the all-time leader, Patty Berg.

Bogeyman