Couples expects captain Woods to play 3 sessions at Royal Melbourne

United States vice captain Fred Couples will be busier than normal throughout the week at Royal Melbourne as he expects his boss, Tiger Woods, to play three sessions of the Presidents Cup.

"I think he'll play three times," Couples said during his Wednesday press conference. "He wants to be a captain. I mean, it wasn't (even) a month ago (when) we were all teasing him, telling him we wanted him to be a playing captain. ... But he still wants to captain this team."

If Couples is correct, Tiger will play one more session than the minimum required. Each golfer plays Sunday singles matches and has to play in at least one of the four team sessions.

As for who assumes the responsibilities when Tiger's on the course? Couples isn't exactly sure.

"Basically, when Tiger is playing, (Steve Stricker) will probably start out as the captain and then it might move to me or it might move to (Zach Johnson)," Couples added. "It's pretty easy. ... Just get the radio, you have to dial in and say, 'Steve Stricker is the captain.'"

Woods announced he will play with Justin Thomas in the first match out on Thursday. They will take on Marc Leishman and Joaquin Niemann.