Bae Sang-Moon in President Cup despite military service order

London: International captain Nick Price said he was confident Bae Sang-Moon would be able to participate in next month`s Presidents Cup after naming the soon-to-be conscripted South Korean golfer as one of his two captain`s picks on Tuesday. 

A South Korean court in July ruled that the two-time PGA Tour winner Bae must return home to complete two years of mandatory military service, something all able-bodied Korean men must do between the ages of 18-35. 

Bae has agreed to put his golfing career on hold and will return to Korea to comply with the court order. 

Price said he had taken soundings from authorities in South Korea about Bae`s availability for the October 6-11 event in Incheon City and had been told there would be no problems with his participation. 

"I have been assured that it should not be a problem," said Price, who selected Australia`s Steven Bowditch as his other captain`s pick. 

"As far I understand they will speak to the government but I`m pretty sure he`ll be cleared to play," Price added. 

Price said he had been keen to select Bae due to his successful record at the venue for the Presidents Cup, where he has twice won the KPGA Shinhan Donghae Open in recent years. 

"I chose (Bae) because he has played pretty well the last couple of weeks but also because he`s won on the golf course. He loves the golf course, and it`s very important to have someone on the team that the Korean fans and media could pull for," Price said. "But it was a difficult decision." 

Bae said he did not anticipate a problem, saying he had agreed with authorities to begin his military service after the Ryder Cup-style tournament. 

"Nothing changed right now," he said. 

"I don`t think there will be a problem. I told them I would do military service after the Presidents Cup." 

Meanwhile United States captain Jay Haas completed his 12-strong party by naming veteran Phil Mickelson and son Bill Haas as his captain`s picks.