Tiger Woods PRANKED Tony Finau during Presidents Cup phone call

Tiger Woods has told how he PRANKED compatriot Tony Finau on the phone before telling him he had made it onto his United States Presidents Cup side as one of four captain's picks. 

Woods initially named Finau, himself, Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka as his captain's picks to face Ernie Els' International team in Australia next month, but after Koepka soon withdrew his name through injury, he decided to replace the World No.1 with Rickie Fowler. 

Many people considered Finau an odds-on favourite to make Woods' team as a pick, and while that indeed happened, the 15-time major champion wanted to make him sweat as much as possible. 

"I actually pranked Tony a little when I called to tell him he was on the team," Woods wrote in his latest captain's blog on the Presidents Cup website. 

"I could feel his heart sink when I said I had some tough news. So, I let him sweat it out for a few seconds before welcoming him to the Presidents Cup."

Finau may be making his debut appearance at the Presidents Cup, but he more than excelled himself as a rookie in USA's loss at the 2018 Ryder Cup when he took two points from a possible three against Europe at Le Golf National, highlighted by a convincing 6&4 victory over Tommy Fleetwood in the singles. 

Woods believes Finau will prove one of his key men at Royal Melbourne from December 12 to 15, and not just because of the World No.15's impressive golf game. 

"Tony Finau is as genuine as they come and is going to be another key piece of the squad," wrote Woods, who becomes the first playing captain at the Presidents Cup since Hale Irwin took charge of the United States in the inaugural 1994 tournament.

"He is one of those guys who is going to light up the team room but will back it up on the course with consistent play.

"This is a guy who has qualified for the Tour Championship the last three years without a win, which is tough enough to accomplish once. It goes to show how reliable his game has been week in and week out, and that is exactly what this team needs.

"Everyone wants to play with Tony, so we are looking forward to having him."

The United States have won 10 of the 12 Presidents Cup matches, with the Internationals winning once at this year's venue Royal Melbourne in 1998.

The teams tied in South Africa in 2003 as Woods and Els' playoff match could not be decided as play went into darkness.