Couples closes with a flourish

2008-04-05

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By John Reger PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

AVONDALE, Louisiana (Ticker) As Fred Couples meandered downthe fairways of Redstone Golf Club on Saturday, it was done witha casual stroll that belied a walk in the park rather than amarch toward tying a tournament record.

That has been the persona of one of golf''s most successful, ifnot most puzzling, PGA Tour players. It is difficult to tellwhether Couples is in a slump or contending for a tournament.

This week at the Shell Houston Open, he is contending. Couplesshot a 2-over 38 on his front nine then tied a tournament recordwith a 7-under 29 on his back nine to move from a tie for 36thto a tie for 10th.

It is a mix that sums up Couples'' game the last few years. Heopened the tournament with a 1-over 73, then shot two rounds inthe 60s to get within eight strokes of the lead.

"I played OK," Couples said. "It was fun. I bogeyed the firsthole from 80 yards from the middle of the fairway, then playedpretty well."

There have been flashes of the form that produced 15 tour winsfor Couples, including the 1992 Masters, but his balky backbasically tells him how much he can play.

Couples hasn''t had a victory since the Shell Houston Open in2003 but has come closer than he thought he would, though itseems like each step of progress is met with a disappointingleap backward.

There was the tie for third at the 2006 Masters and then theflare-up of the back problems that caused him to shoot 80 at theMemorial and 83 at the Barclays Classic. He withdrew from twoevents in the same year and missed the cut in another.

Last year, Couples missed the cut at the FBR Open, withdrew fromPebble Beach and tied for 30th at the Masters, then shut itdown until the "Silly Season" - gimmick events following the endof the tour season.

The "Silly Season" is his sanctuary. His back doesn''t need tobe at its best, but Couples often is.

In 2006, Couples made more money at such events than he did onthe regular tour. He earned $43,000 at the Masters - the onlytournament in which he cashed a check - but made $572,500 inthree "Silly Season" events.

It is the second time Couples earned more money after theseason. In 1999, he earned $769,192 on tour and made $910,000in three "Silly Season" events.

Couples would rather his money come from the regular tour, andthis year has made strides to accomplish that. He has played inseven events in 2008 - making the cut in six of them - and hasearned $229,727.

One cut he wants to make is next week. Couples is tied withGary Player for most consecutive cuts made at the Masters, butsaid he is far more interested in playing well.

"I want to make the cut at Augusta," Couples said. "I feel likeI can play well there. It is a nice streak. I''ve had a lot ofgood finishes there. Hopefully when I go I won''t be worriedabout making the cut because I don''t want to make just the cut.I want to move up where I''m 20th, 30th spot, not 50th."

Couples was in Las Vegas last week working with coach ButchHarmon to ready for Augusta National.

"Working just to shorten my swing, keep my knees a little flat,all the good stuff," Couples said. "I can tell the differenceas soon as I make contact with the ball. I can still get awaywith shots. When I really hit them bad I can justify what he''stelling me."

On Sunday, Couples will get a better idea of how his game willbe at Augusta.

"If I don''t play well, I''m not going to be frightened to go playAugusta," Couples said. "But it can work the other way a lotbetter than it can the other way. I''m hoping to have a littlemore confidence."