Man of the people: Caddie John Wood learns art of interacting with fans during play

Henrik Stenson, who at 45 has played in five Ryder Cups, was selected by European captain Padraig Harrington as the fifth and final vice captain.

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History tells the story of the past, it doesn’t predict the future, but lessons learned shape its direction. That reality prompted significant changes to the Presidents Cup in 2015. The United States still prevailed, albeit by the slimmest of margins, 15-1/2 to 14-1/2. But now, in what could be labeled as reverse psychology, the biennially stronger team will be attempting to defend its title at the foot of the Statue of Liberty. There will be no escaping the reminder of one’s pride in playing for his flag at Liberty National Golf Club alongside New York Harbor. It’s exactly the kind of pressure the Internationals need to apply as they enter this road game with a record of 1-9-1. Because the Presidents Cup is a team competition with match-play scoring, an open mind is encouraged when accepting the ranking of the participants. More on the course, the format and other details beneath the full-field ranking. Went 2-1-1 with Patrick Reed at the 2016 Ryder Cup, but Spieth should draw Thomas at some point now. Not that it’ll matter on a squad as deep as the U.S. Captain America at Liberty National in the Presidents Cup. Yes, please. Oh, and he’s playing well. Loves to remain busy, so expect the adrenaline to continue to flow. An anchor. Arguably the most in form upon arrival with three top 10s among six consecutive top 25s, so it would surprising if he sits out a session. It’s the Aussie’s fourth appearance (4-8-3). T9 at Liberty National doesn’t hurt, but this squad is loaded with his buddies — and potential partners. Solid all year, too. First-timer. Nothing like making a splash as the most recent major champion and winner of the FedExCup. Figures to go out with Spieth, but options are everywhere. The Aussie is now a cornerstone for the visitors in his third appearance. Also played Liberty National in both 2009 and 2013. Recently dominated the field at Conway Farms. One of three South Africans on the squad. Expect him to partner with Grace after they went 4-0-0 as a team two years ago. Oosthuizen went 1-3-0 with Schwartzel in 2013.    First-timer. Debuts with fellow former FSU teammate Koepka, so that’s a natural pairing. The formidable duo could be the lockdown team of the competition.     First-timer. Poised to forge a new, long-term partnership as one of America’s future stars, so look for pairing with Berger. Filthy second half of 2017 illustrates monster stats. Went 5-0-0 in the losing cause in 2015. Teamed with fellow South African Louis Oosthuizen in every two-man session. Expect the same. No reason to break what’s not broken.     Fourth consecutive appearance. He’s 6-7-1 overall but 0-4-1 in foursomes. The experienced South African could help balance a scuffling and tired Matsuyama in four-ball.     Already his third appearance. Cited fatigue for lackluster FedExCup Playoffs performance, which presents a challenge for his captain, but still figures to carry any partner tee-to-green.     The 39-year-old is making his fourth appearance. Enjoying an outstanding 2017 despite the absence of a victory. As youngsters emerge, he slides into mentor role. Despite individual success, he’s just a combined 2-7-0 in four-ball but 4-1-1 in foursomes in the Ryder and Presidents Cups. As a result, expect experienced partners. International’s elder statesman at 37 years of age. Eighth straight appearance (13-17-5). Aussie had four different partners en route to 0-2-2 in 2015. He’s 1-3-1 with Matsuyama.     First-timer. Tee-to-green tactician finished T15 at THE NORTHERN TRUST in 2013. Might align with Kuchar the best with their similar styles. Needed a captain’s pick to extend his record of never missing an edition. Now 47, the oldest in the competition is like a de facto playing assistant captain leading by example. First-timer. Flexible partner as a phenomenal putter, he’s insurance in four-ball despite bentgrass greens. Could earn foursomes nod on the third day with a good start.     First-timer. Relatively quiet second half didn’t deter him from qualifying for TOUR Championship. Fantastic putter makes for a wonderful partner. Longer off the tee than advertised.     He was surprised to be a captain’s pick, but he belongs here. Responded with T9 at Conway Farms. One of the more outwardly cerebral; could partner with anyone as a result.  First-timer. The fearless 40-year-old secured entry via a captain’s pick despite losing steam following a torrid summer stretch. Played Liberty National in 2009 and 2013.     First-timer. Captain’s pick from Argentina has just one top 25 since June. Likely partner is Vegas as they’re the only two native Spanish speakers. Neither is a strong putter.     First-timer. All or nothing for most of the year, but the stakes are different now. Terrific tee-to-green.     First-timer. Just one top 10 in the last 11 months, but it was a biggie. THE PLAYERS champion has battled back discomfort all year. Only South Korean on the team. POWER RANKINGS: PRESIDENTS CUP RANK PLAYER COMMENT Liberty National isn’t new to half the field that competed in THE NORTHERN TRUST in 2013, but only four of those 12 are Internationals. Seven overall were in play when the course debuted for THE NORTHERN TRUST in 2009, including three Internationals. Those who are returning will see primarily the same setup that they tackled in the opening leg of the FedExCup Playoffs four years ago, except the par-4 fifth hole is now the starting line for the Presidents Cup. The par-5 sixth is the second hole this week, and so on. Holes 1-4 on the course will play as Nos. 15-18. This means that the outward nine is a par 38 that boasts all three of Libery National’s par 5s. The inward side is a par 33 with three par 3s (including the last). Only the seventh hole (originally No. 11) is at a different yardage than how it played in 2013. The par 3 is down 25 yards and now tips at 225 yards. Of course, overall par matters not in this competition, nor does Liberty National’s official length of 7,328 yards. However, while the rerouting was determined to shift the most eye-catching holes to critical points for every match, the swings in momentum are more likely early, especially in foursomes. Thursday’s opening session will be comprised of five matches of foursomes (also known as alternate shot). Five four-ball matches will follow on Friday. Saturday consists of two sessions of four matches each, first foursomes and then four-ball. The format requires at least two starts per golfer during the first four sessions. The final day will line up all 12 on each side in singles. In 2015, a reduction of four team matches lowered the total points up for grabs to 30. Thus, the winning team will need to score at least 15-1/2. Another twist that took effect in the last edition is that matches that are tied after 18 holes result in halves for every golfer in those matches. The heat wave that was summer’s last gasp will come to an end as the Presidents Cup begins. After a daytime high of 80 degrees on Thursday, even better conditions will command the remainder of the week. Cooler air, primarily sunny skies and but a light wind out of the north are forecast. Come to think of it, glorious views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York City skyline on the horizon just might inspire the home team. When you’re as deep at the United States by comparison, you can enjoy the view. NOTE: The Captain’s Pick debuts at FantasyGolf.PGATOUR.com for the competition. Rob will be writing nightly recaps and previews specifically for fantasy gamers. You’ll find his primer for The Captain’s Pick here.

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NORTON, Mass. - His laser show of ball-striking prowess utterly overwhelming in THE NORTHERN TRUST, Dustin Johnson was forced from TPC Boston late in Sunday's final round by the ferocity of Mother Nature. Impressive as that thunderstorm was, it lasted just 75 minutes and wasn't about to put a halt to this dominating performance that Johnson had been putting together for four days in the FedExCup Playoffs opener. So, with the lights out, a light rain falling, and evening upon the TPC Boston stage, Johnson returned to apply seven more strokes to a masterful performance that came close to setting records in a variety of ways. RELATED: Final leaderboard | FedExCup standings | Inside DJ’s bag Closing with a bogey-free 8-under 63, Johnson finished in 254 strokes, one off the 72-hole aggregate record, and at a beefy 30-under, again one shy of the PGA TOUR record for four rounds. As wonderfully as Harris English performed (64-66-66-69), he played a role that others used to have when Tiger Woods was in his 2000 prime. Good gracious, those who finished third (Daniel Berger, 67-266) and fourth (Kevin Kisner, 66-267; and Scottie Scheffler (71-267) were 12 and 13 behind, if we saw correctly through our binoculars. But regarding Johnson's inability to establish the records, no one was offering condolences. Not when this 36-year-old freak show who is equal parts power, precision, and uncanny consistency tossed down numbers in an awe-inspiring performance that even met the man's approval. "My ball-striking was unbelievable," said Johnson, who at the end of 72 holes was ranked No. 1 in proximity to the flagstick with approaches, an impressive 28 feet. When you couple that ball-striking brilliance with the fact that he hit all 18 greens Sunday after having hit 15, 17 and 15 each of the previous rounds; that he led the field by requiring a mere 104 putts; that he was No. 1 in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green; that he was tied for third in driving distance; and that he has been certified as unflappable, well … it didn't seem to be a fair fight. And, oh, how his numbers put a polish on his performance. • He had at least one eagle each round, five in all. Sunday's came at the par-5 second as he wasted little time in building upon the five-stroke lead over Harris English with which he began. • With his second win of the year, Johnson is now sitting with 22 career victories, tying a legend of the previous generation, Raymond Floyd, as well as two classic names from years gone by, Johnny Farrell and Jim Barnes. • After a relatively pedestrian start on Thursday left him 4-under and tied for 20th and three off the lead, Johnson played his first 11 holes Friday in 11-under, then the next in 15-under. For the week he had 23 birdies, five eagles, and three bogeys that were like gnats, barely noticeable. • As always, it is worth mentioning that Johnson has won at least once in every one of his 13 PGA TOUR seasons, the sort of remarkable consistency that is rarely seen in this era of deep fields. • Given that there were so many layers of excellence delivered by Johnson, it was nearly lost in the falling darkness that he returned to No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking. • And before the critics bemoan the power game that is pro golf in the year 2020, study a stat that deserves attention. Johnson beat the field scoring average by 2.328 on Thursday, then simply went silly. He was 9.529 better than the field average Friday, 5.329 better Saturday, 6.343 better on Sunday, and 5.882 better overall. Digest. Marvel. Admire. All of this coming, by the way, a few weeks after folks would suggest that Johnson did what he seems to do frequently - he let a chance to win a major championship get away. His history at the biggest tournaments has been well-chronicled, but the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park should go down as one that Collin Morikawa won, not that Johnson lost. And what he did at TPC Boston should go down as definitive proof that the man's picture should be in the dictionary next to the word resilient. How does he explain his ability to shake things off, to not let anything bother him? To pile excellence onto disappointment time and time and time again? "It's pretty easy when we've got big tournaments every week," he said. "I didn't feel like I really did anything wrong at the PGA. It wasn't something that I was disappointed in." If there was one final goal for him Sunday, it was to reach 30-under, because "I've never shot 30-under for four rounds." So, in the darkness and with only a few dozen folks watching, Johnson got it up-and-down from in front of the green at the par-5 18th and reached that magical number. Only it wasn't magical enough. The record is 31 under. Unruffled as ever, Johnson laughed. "Oh, that's all right. Next time." There was good laugher on the virtual press conference, but don't be surprised if he means it. There will be a next time.

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