Fred Couples admits disappointment at US Ryder Cup captaincy snub

Couples was favourite to lead the USA at Hazeltine when they will try to prise the trophy from a European side that will be captained by Darren Clarke.

But he missed out to Davis Love III, who will captain the team for a second time in the last three editions after missing out on victory because of Europe's miraculous final day at Medinah in 2012.

Couples and Clarke will be opposing captains this week in Dubai, where the United States are taking on the Rest of the World in the Icons Cup, an event that sees stars from other sports compete at Dubai Creek.

Clarke's team for the 12-man event includes a host of former top-flight footballers - Robbie Fowler, Dwight Yorke, Paul Ince and Kenny Dalglish among them - while Couples has boxing great Oscar de la Hoya and American football stars Marcus Allen and Eric Dickerson in his squad.

He was asked about the process of picking the US Ryder Cup captain at his press conference before the event proper kicks off today.

"I think there was an outside shot which is why we were both asked (to become the Icons Cup captains)," Couples said.

"When we agreed to this, I thought Darren had 75 per cent chance of becoming the European Ryder Cup captain, and I thought I was more than 50. As it turns out, he is 100 per cent the guy and I am zero."

But the disappointment at missing out on 2016 will not stop Couples from putting his hat into the ring again two years later, when the event will be hosted by Le Golf National in Paris.

"To be honest, it is disappointing, but they picked a great guy in Davis and my time might be the next one," he added.

"I thought I had as good a shot as any other guys getting it and it would have been unbelievable to be for both of us to be Ryder Cup captains and be sitting here. I am thrilled for Davis, and I am certainly happy for Darren.

"I am put off by not getting it this time. But having said that, if they ask me for 2018, I will certainly jump at it and accept it."