Nice guy Stricker could be perfect match for Woods

LEMONT, Illinois, Sep 8 (Reuters) The biggest conundrum facing the captain of every US Ryder and Presidents Cup team has been finding the right player to partner Tiger Woods.

Later this month Jack Nicklaus will play match maker, setting up Woods with a suitable mate when the US takes on the world minus Europe at the Presidents Cup in Montreal.

If Nicklaus has been watching the BMW Championship this week, his search may be over.

Through the opening two rounds at the Cog Hill Golf and Country Club, Woods has been partnered with Steve Stricker and the chemistry has not gone unnoticed, the two men enjoying a back-slapping good-time together.

Stricker, winner of the Barclays Classic, the opening event of the FedExCup four-tournament playoff, has welcomed the chance to play with Woods and conceded that while their games do not necessarily mesh their personalities do.

''At first I didn't really think it would be a good match, good fit,'' Stricker told reporters after second-round play on Friday. ''He hits it a lot longer than I do, and it's just different.

GOOD TIME ''I wasn't sure how I would handle it, if I'd be comfortable with him out there or not.

''But after the last couple days, I don't know if our games match up but I feel really comfortable with him and I think he plays comfortable with me, too.

''We had a good time out there the last couple days. I wouldn't have a problem playing with him at all.'' Others, however, have problems.

Hal Sutton, captain of the 2004 US Ryder Cup team, thought teaming the world number one with world number two Phil Mickelson added up to a sure-fire winning combination.

The experiment proved to be one of the biggest flops in Ryder Cup history, Woods and Mickelson generating about as much chemistry as a meeting between Britney Spears and Prince Charles.

While Woods and Stricker have obviously enjoyed each others' company this week, the 13-time major winner stopped short of endorsing him as a potential Presidents Cup partner.

''He (Stricker) is one of the all-time nicest guys you'll ever meet,'' praised Woods. ''It's great to see him back to playing well again. I mean, he deserves it.'' REUTERS BJR AS1004