MJ out, Cook in for U.S. Presidents Cup team

There will be no 6'6" former greatest basketball player of all time smoking cigars in Australia this year. Michael Jordan, assistant captain for the U.S. Presidents Cup team, has cancelled his trip due to his NBA obligations.

"After careful consideration, it is with regret that I have decided to cancel my trip to Australia later this month for The Presidents Cup," Jordan said. "With the NBA labor situation unsettled, as the majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, I feel it is necessary that I remain in the country. It was an honor to have been chosen to serve as a captain's assistant. I wish Fred and the United States team the best of luck."

Champions Tour member John Cook will replace Jordan as an assistant captain for the cup, which begins November 17th in Sydney.

Tiger's swing old school but better, according to Cook

Tiger Woods (Andrew Redington / Getty)

Good news for Tiger fans and bad news for Tiger haters. According to John Cook, things are starting to click with Tiger's new swing. Cook addressed the media at a press conference for the Champion's Tour Ace Classic and shared his thoughts on his buddy's game.

"Tiger now really has a great understanding. As of Monday, it finally clicked to him … where the face of the club needs to be at certain points, which really sounded to me like kind of old school Butch Harmon but with a better face angle on his backswing, which means, wow, that’s something really good."

"His excitement is back, just the way he’s portraying things and his body language is upbeat again,” Cook said. It’s not, you know, dreading the Masters. He welcomes it. That’s what we all need.  We all need him back. He wants it, too. He still wants Jack's record. Obviously, he wouldn’t be working as hard as he is if he didn’t.” 

Tiger reportedly got off the plane from on his trip back from the Dubai Desert Classic at 5am Monday morning and was on the range with coach Sean Foley by 8am. It's just a matter of time before Woods puts it all together for four rounds and is back in the winner's circle.

Woods will next tee it up at the Accenture World Match Play beginning next week.