Fred Couples Explained

Fred Couples
Fullname:Frederick Steven Couples
Nickname:Boom Boom
Birth Date:3 October 1959
Birth Place:Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Weight:185lb
Residence:Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Spouse:
    College:University of Houston
    Yearpro:1980
    Tour:PGA Tour Champions
    Extour:PGA Tour
    Prowins:64
    Pgawins:15
    Eurowins:3
    Champwins:14
    Seneurowins:1
    Otherwins:33
    Majorwins:1
    Masters:Won: 1992
    Usopen:T3: 1991
    Open:T3: 1991, 2005
    Pga:2nd: 1990
    Wghofid:fred-couples
    Wghofyear:2013
    Award1:PGA Tour
    Player of the Year
    Year1:1991, 1992
    Award2:Byron Nelson Award
    Year2:1991, 1992
    Award3:Vardon Trophy
    Year3:1991, 1992
    Award4:PGA Tour
    money list winner
    Year4:1992
    Award5:PGA Player of the Year
    Year5:1992
    Award6:Champions Tour
    Rookie of the Year
    Year6:2010
    Award7:Champions Tour
    Byron Nelson Award
    Year7:2010, 2012, 2013

    Frederick Steven Couples (born October 3, 1959) is an American professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Champions. A former World No. 1, he has won 64 professional tournaments, most notably the Masters Tournament and the Players Championship in 1984 Couples became the oldest person to make the cut in the Masters Tournament history during the 2023 Tournament at 63 years, six months, and five days.

    In August 2011, Couples won his first senior major at the Senior Players Championship and followed this up in July 2012 when he won the Senior Open Championship. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013.[1] Couples garnered the nickname "Boom Boom" for his long, accurate driving ability off the tee during the prime of his career.

    Early life

    Couples was born in Seattle, Washington to Tom and Violet (née Sobich) Couples. His paternal grandparents immigrated from Italy and changed the family name from "Coppola" to "Couples" to make it sound less ethnic.[2] His mother was of Croatian descent.[3] [4]

    His father was a groundskeeper for the Seattle Parks Department and the family, which included brother Tom Jr. and sister Cindy, lived in a modest house on Beacon Hill near the city's Jefferson Park golf course,[5] where Couples developed his signature loose, rhythmic swing in order to gain enough distance to keep up with the older children. Couples admitted to being self-taught, never taking a lesson and never hiring a swing coach.

    Couples attended O'Dea High School in Seattle and graduated in 1977.

    Amateur career

    As a 19-year-old amateur, Couples beat PGA Tour veteran (and fellow Seattle native) Don Bies in a playoff to win the 1978 Washington Open at the Glendale Country Club in Bellevue.[6]

    Professional career

    PGA Tour

    Couples's first PGA Tour victory came at the Kemper Open in 1983 at Congressional Country Club in suburban Washington, D.C.[7] Playing in the final group with Scott Simpson and Chen Tze-chung, the three finished over one hour after the previous group on the course. In spite of rounds of 77, 76, and 77, Couples, Simpson, and Chen finished tied for first along with Gil Morgan and Barry Jaeckel who had finished their rounds several hours earlier. Jaeckel, who spent time in a bar waiting for regulation play to conclude, was eliminated on the first playoff hole after hitting a wild tee shot.[8] On the second hole, Couples scored a birdie to take home the title.[7] [9]

    In addition to his Kemper Open win, Couples won another fourteen PGA Tour titles. Among them were two Players Championships (1984, 1996) and one major victory, the 1992 Masters Tournament.

    Couples was named the PGA Tour Player of the Year twice, in 1991 and 1992. He also won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average in each of those years. He has been named to the United States Ryder Cup team five times, in 1989, 1991, 1993, 1995 and 1997.

    In 1992, Couples became the first American player to reach the number one position in the Official World Golf Rankings (since the World Ranking points system debuted in April 1986). He spent 16 weeks at number 1, after one of the hottest ever starts to a season by a PGA Tour player. Beginning with the Nissan Los Angeles Open, where he defeated Davis Love III in a playoff, Couples won two tournaments and finished second in two others in the five weeks leading up to The Masters. At Augusta, Couples carried over his momentum, shooting in the 60s in each of the first three rounds to hold second place heading into Sunday. After a shaky start to his final round that allowed 49-year-old Raymond Floyd to claim the lead, Couples took it back with 18- and 20-foot birdie putts at the 8th and 9th holes, respectively, then saved par on a slick 6-footer at 10. At 12 (perhaps the scariest par-3 in the world), Couples barely cleared Rae's Creek in front of the green. Although his ball rolled back towards the water, it incredibly remained on the bank and he saved par. Sensing that destiny was on his side, Couples held off Floyd the rest of the way, completing Augusta's treacherous back nine with eight pars and one birdie to win his first Major. The win pushed Couples past the $1 million mark in earnings on the season as well, by far the fastest any player had reached that plateau.

    Couples is sometimes called "Mr. Skins" because of his dominance in the Skins Game. He has won the event five times (in 1995, 1996, 1999, 2003, and 2004), accumulating over $3.5 million and 77 skins in 11 appearances. Because of his dominance at the Skins and other off-season events like the Johnnie Walker World Golf Championship, Couples is also known as the "King of the Silly Season," referring to the exotic made-for-TV events staged in the winter that are better known as the "silly season."Couples was frequently accused of "choking" in his early career, with mistakes in the 1989 Ryder Cup and the 1990 PGA Championship at Shoal Creek Golf and Country Club often mentioned.

    Couples has nine top-10 finishes in the Open Championship, including tying for third in 1991 at Royal Birkdale, shooting a last round 64, and again tying for third in 2005 at St Andrews. In addition to his The Open Championship success Couples played well in many other international tournaments. He won two prestigious European Tour events, the Dubai Desert Classic and the Johnnie Walker Classic, in back-to-back weeks in 1995. He also finished runner-up in three European Tour events in his career: the 1989 BMW International Open, the 1994 Johnnie Walker Classic, and the 1997 Heineken Classic. He also finished runner-up on the Australasian Tour's 1988 Johnnie Walker Australian Classic, Japan Golf Tour's prestigious 1993 Dunlop Phoenix Tournament, and the Asian Tour's 2005 SK Telecom Open.

    Since March 1994,[10] back injuries have affected Couples's career.[11] His swing features an extreme shoulder turn at the top, which, combined with the fact that he keeps his left foot flat on the ground throughout the backswing, puts a lot of pressure on his lower back. However, with an abbreviated schedule, Couples is still one of the best players on Tour. In 2003, at age 44, Couples finished 34th on the PGA Tour money list. That year he also won the Shell Houston Open, his first win in five years; Couples wept with joy after the win, but quickly explained the tears, saying: "I'm always emotional when nice things happen to nice people."

    In April 2006, Couples challenged at Augusta, making a Sunday run at what would have been his second green jacket before finally losing to eventual winner Phil Mickelson, with whom he was paired in the final round. Had Couples won, he would have been the oldest player ever to win the Masters at age —supplanting Jack Nicklaus, who, coincidentally, won his final Masters 20 years earlier and also at the age of 46. His competitiveness in the tournament was an encouraging sign for his career. "I didn't hit the ball like I was 46," Couples said.

    Couples's part in the USA 1993 Dunhill Cup win included victory in all five of his matches, and his overall record reads: played 16, won 12, lost 4. In 2004, Couples won the Dunhill Links Championship Team Event at St Andrews, partnered by New Zealand amateur Craig Heatley.

    In 2005 Couples sank a crucial putt in the Presidents Cup, securing an unlikely 1-up victory over the International team's best player, Vijay Singh. This match proved to be pivotal in the contest. Couples has now played Singh three times in Presidents Cup match play, and has yet to lose.Couples was sidelined for virtually the entire 2007 season because of health problems. However, he did compete in the 2007 Masters, making the cut for the 23rd consecutive time, tying the record held by Gary Player. Couples missed the cut in 2008 and 2009.

    In 2009, Couples limited his play but performed impressively at the Northern Trust Open. If it wasn't for Phil Mickelson shooting a 62 on that Saturday, Couples may have won instead of finishing third. He nearly won the Shell Houston Open but bogeyed the last three holes and finished third behind Paul Casey. He also played well at the HP Byron Nelson Championship (T8) and the AT&T National (T11) tournaments. He hurt his back practicing for the RBC Canadian Open and had to withdraw. But he rested and recovered and made the cut for the PGA Championship (T36) and performed successfully in the Wyndham Championship (T5) which put him past the $1 million mark on the money list for the 7th time in his career.

    Couples was named as Presidents Cup captain for the 2009 United States team on February 26, 2008, and led the U.S. team to a decisive victory nineteen months later.

    Couples and Jason Dufner were the 36-hole co-leaders at the Masters in 2012; at age 52, he was looking to become the oldest to win a major. He dropped back with 75 in the third round and finished tied for twelfth.

    At the 2023 Masters, Couples became the oldest player to make the cut at a Masters Tournament at the age of 63 years, six months and five days, finishing 1-over-par after the second round. He has made 31 cuts at the Masters, the third most all time.[12] [13]

    He is one of the few professional golfers who never plays with a glove.[14]

    PGA Tour Champions

    Couples made his debut on the Champions Tour at the opening event of the 2010 season, the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii.[15] He nearly won the tournament, finishing second to Tom Watson. Despite the loss, Couples stated, "I had a wonderful time. I think I was 21 under par and didn't win a tournament. That hasn't happened too many times." Had he won, he would have become the 16th player to win his Champions Tour debut. He won his next three starts, The ACE Group Classic, the Toshiba Classic and the Cap Cana Championship, becoming the first player in Champions Tour history to win three of his first four career events. Couples made another run at the 2010 Masters Tournament but finished 6th. It was his 26th top ten finish in a major tournament.

    Couples finished second in the 2010 Senior PGA Championship. Later in the same year he finished runner-up to Bernhard Langer in the U.S. Senior Open. Couples had a one-shot lead after 55 holes, but disaster struck on the par 5 2nd hole. He decided to lay up rather than going for the green. His lay-up shot was effective, but his 3rd shot landed in the water. After dropping 4, his 5th shot was driven over the green. He finished the hole with a triple bogey; his one-shot lead became a 3 shot deficit. He played solidly for the rest of the round, but could not catch up to Langer.

    Couples earned a 4th win at the Administaff Small Business Classic. On Sunday, he was grouped with Corey Pavin and Mark Wiebe and soared past them and the rest of the field shooting a 9 under 63, with 29 on the back nine. Couples won the Champions Tour Rookie of the Year award in 2010.

    Couples was sidelined once again for most of the 2011 season because of his stubborn back problems. But after receiving treatment in Germany, he was able to come back. He won his first major tournament on the senior circuit by defeating John Cook, on the third hole of a sudden death play-off, capturing the Senior Players Championship.

    In July 2012, Couples won his second senior major championship when he won The Senior Open Championship at Turnberry. He came from a stroke back to win by two over Gary Hallberg. He made a 25-foot putt for birdie on the last hole to hold off Hallberg, for a round of three under 68 on Sunday. This was his eighth victory in total on the Champions Tour.

    In 2016, Couples was forced to forgo the Masters Tournament for the first time since 1994, citing ongoing back problems, which have plagued him throughout his career.[16]

    Business ventures

    Couples co-designs golf courses with his design partner, Gene D. Bates. This venture, beginning in 1992 has resulted in the formation of Couples Bates Golf Design firm (Now Bates Golf Design Group), and over 20 award-winning championship golf courses worldwide.[17]

    Couples currently takes the supplement Anatabloc and is a brand ambassador for the anti-inflammatory neutraceutical containing anatabine. He wears the brand logo on his left arm of his golf shirts.

    Couples has lent his name to two video games: Fred Couples Golf for the Game Gear, and for the 32X, both published by Sega in 1994.

    Personal life

    Couples's marriage to his first wife Deborah ended in 1992. They had met as students at the University of Houston The divorce was finalized in 1993, and she later jumped to her death in May 2001. The Los Angeles City coroner's office ruled it a suicide.[18] Couples' estranged second wife, Thais Baker, died from breast cancer on February 17, 2009. They had married in 1998 and the union was childless. Couples married his long time girlfriend, Suzanne Hannemann, on February 22, 2022.

    Couples currently resides in Newport Beach, California.

    Couples, a self-proclaimed "sports junkie," is a member of the Seattle Seahawks 12th Man. He raised the 12th Man flag prior to the Seahawks Monday Night Football game against the New Orleans Saints on December 2, 2013.[19]

    Couples is good friends with Michael Jordan and named him one of his assistant coaches when he coached the President's Cup in 2011.

    Awards

    Professional wins (64)

    PGA Tour wins (15)

    Legend
    Major championships (1)
    Players Championships (2)
    Other PGA Tour (12)
    No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
    victory
    Runner(s)-up
    1Jun 5, 1983Kemper Open71-71-68-77=287−1 Playoff Chen Tze-chung, Barry Jaeckel,
    Gil Morgan, Scott Simpson
    2Apr 1, 1984Tournament Players Championship71-64-71-71=277−11 1 stroke Lee Trevino
    3May 10, 1987Byron Nelson Golf Classic65-67-64-70=266−14Playoff Mark Calcavecchia
    4Feb 25, 1990Nissan Los Angeles Open68-67-62-69=266−18 3 strokes Gil Morgan
    5Jun 30, 1991Federal Express St. Jude Classic68-67-66-68=269−15 3 strokes Rick Fehr
    6Sep 22, 1991B.C. Open66-67-68-68=269−15 3 strokes Peter Jacobsen
    7Mar 1, 1992Nissan Los Angeles Open (2)68-67-64-70=269−15Playoff
    8Mar 22, 1992Nestle Invitational67-69-63-70=269−199 strokes Gene Sauers
    9Apr 12, 1992Masters Tournament69-67-69-70=275−132 strokes Raymond Floyd
    10Mar 14, 1993Honda Classic64-73-70=207*−9Playoff Robert Gamez
    11Aug 7, 1994Buick Open72-65-65-68=270−18 2 strokes Corey Pavin
    12Mar 31, 1996The Players Championship (2)66-72-68-64=270−184 strokes Colin Montgomerie, Tommy Tolles
    13Jan 18, 1998Bob Hope Chrysler Classic64-70-66-66-66=332−28Playoff Bruce Lietzke
    14May 31, 1998Memorial Tournament68-67-67-69=271−17 4 strokes Andrew Magee
    15Apr 27, 2003Shell Houston Open65-68-67-67=267−214 strokes Stuart Appleby, Mark Calcavecchia,
    Hank Kuehne
    *Note: The 1993 Honda Classic was shortened to 54 holes due to inclement weather.

    PGA Tour playoff record (5–4)

    No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
    11983Kemper Open Chen Tze-chung, Barry Jaeckel,
    Gil Morgan, Scott Simpson
    Won with birdie on second extra hole
    Jaeckel eliminated by par on first hole
    21986Kite won with birdie on first extra hole
    31987Byron Nelson Golf Classic Mark CalcavecchiaWon with par on third extra hole
    4Phoenix Open Sandy LyleLost to bogey on third extra hole
    5Nissan Los Angeles Open Davis Love IIIWon with birdie on second extra hole
    61992Honda Classic Corey PavinLost to birdie on second extra hole
    71993Honda Classic Robert GamezWon with par on second extra hole
    81994Mercedes Championships Phil MickelsonLost to par on second extra hole
    91998Bob Hope Chrysler Classic Bruce LietzkeWon with birdie on first extra hole

    European Tour wins (3)

    Legend
    Major championships (1)
    Other European Tour (2)
    No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
    victory
    Runner-up
    1Apr 12, 1992Masters Tournament69-67-69-70=275−13 2 strokes Raymond Floyd
    2Jan 22, 1995Dubai Desert Classic65-69-68-66=268−20 3 strokes Colin Montgomerie
    3Jan 29, 1995Johnnie Walker Classic72-67-67-71=277−112 strokes Nick Price

    Other wins (33)

    No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
    victory
    Runner(s)-up
    1Jun 25, 1978Washington State Buick Open
    (as an amateur)
    211−51 stroke Fred Haney
    2Dec 11, 1983JCPenney Mixed Team Classic
    (with Jan Stephenson)
    66-67-62-69=264−24 5 strokes Jane Geddes and Lon Hinkle
    3Sep 18, 1988Northwest Open65-73-68=206−10Playoff Mac O'Grady
    4Sep 2, 1990Northwest Open (2)69-71-70=210−63 strokes Greg Whisman
    5Nov 18, 1990RMCC Invitational
    (with Raymond Floyd)
    64-57-61=182−345 strokes Peter Jacobsen and Arnold Palmer
    6Dec 9, 1990Sazale Classic
    (with Mike Donald)
    65-60-63-66=254−344 strokes Curt Byrum and Tom Byrum
    7Dec 22, 1991Johnnie Walker World Golf Championship71-72-72-66=281−34 strokes Bernhard Langer
    8Nov 8, 1992World Cup
    (with Davis Love III)
    134-139-140-135=548−281 strokeAnders Forsbrand and Per-Ulrik Johansson
    9Jul 25, 1993Telus Skins Game$210,000$160,000 Raymond Floyd
    10Nov 7, 1993Lincoln-Mercury Kapalua International69-68-67-70=274−164 strokes Blaine McCallister
    11Nov 14, 1993World Cup of Golf (2)
    (with Davis Love III)
    137-140-141-138=556−205 strokesMark McNulty and Nick Price
    12Jul 24, 1994Telus Skins Game (2)$240,000$220,000 Lee Trevino
    13Nov 6, 1994Lincoln-Mercury Kapalua International (2)66-71-72-70=279−131 stroke Bob Gilder
    14Nov 13, 1994World Cup of Golf (3)
    (with Davis Love III)
    132-129-137-138=536−4014 strokesTony Johnstone and Mark McNulty
    15Nov 13, 1994World Cup of Golf Individual Trophy65-63-68-69=265−235 strokes Costantino Rocca
    16Nov 20, 1994Franklin Funds Shark Shootout (2)
    (with Brad Faxon)
    68-64-58=190−262 strokes Mark O'Meara and Curtis Strange
    17Nov 12, 1995World Cup of Golf (4)
    (with Davis Love III)
    133-136-138-136=543−3314 strokesRobert Allenby and Brett Ogle
    18Nov 26, 1995Skins Game$270,000$30,000 Corey Pavin
    19Dec 17, 1995Johnnie Walker World Golf Championship (2)70-67-71-71=279−5Playoff Loren Roberts, Vijay Singh
    20Jun 30, 1996Telus Skins Game (3)$165,000 Nick Faldo
    21Dec 1, 1996Skins Game (2)$280,000$60,000 Tom Watson
    22Feb 9, 1997Australian Skins Game$102,000$78,000 Larry Mize, Peter Senior
    23Jul 28, 1998Telus Skins Game (4)$220,000$140,000 Mark O'Meara
    24Nov 14, 1999Franklin Templeton Shark Shootout (3)
    (with David Duval)
    61-62-61=184−326 strokes Scott Hoch and Scott McCarron
    25Nov 28, 1999Skins Game (3)$635,000$390,000 Mark O'Meara
    26Dec 12, 1999Diners Club Matches
    (with Mark Calcavecchia)
    1 up Steve Elkington and Jeff Maggert
    27Aug 8, 2000Telus Skins Game (5)$135,000$35,000 Sergio García
    28Dec 9, 2001Hyundai Team Matches (2)
    (with Mark Calcavecchia)
    1 up Tom Lehman and Duffy Waldorf
    29Jul 2, 2002Tylenol Par-3 Shootout$410,000$350,000 Phil Mickelson
    30Nov 30, 2003The ConAgra Foods Skins Game (4)$605,000$380,000 Annika Sörenstam
    31Jun 29, 2004Tylenol Par-3 Shootout (2)$270,000$140,000 Phil Mickelson, Lee Trevino
    32Nov 28, 2004Merrill Lynch Skins Game (5)$640,000$30,000 Tiger Woods
    33Jul 27, 2006ING Par-3 Shootout (3)$300,000$190,000 Chris DiMarco, Craig Stadler

    Other playoff record (1–2)

    No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
    11991Fred Meyer Challenge
    (with Raymond Floyd)
    Paul Azinger and Ben Crenshaw,
    Mark Calcavecchia and Bob Gilder
    Azinger/Crenshaw won with birdie on second extra hole
    Calcavecchia/Gilder eliminated by par on first hole
    21995Johnnie Walker World Golf Championship Loren Roberts, Vijay SinghWon with birdie on second extra hole
    31996Ernst Championship Phil MickelsonLost to eagle on first extra hole

    PGA Tour Champions wins (14)

    Legend
    PGA Tour Champions major championships (2)
    Tour Championships (1)
    Other PGA Tour Champions (11)
    No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
    victory
    Runner(s)-up
    1ACE Group Classic68-67-64=199−17 1 stroke Tommy Armour III
    2Mar 7, 2010Toshiba Classic66-64-65=195−18 4 strokes Ronnie Black
    3Mar 28, 2010Cap Cana Championship67-66-62=195−21 2 strokes Corey Pavin
    4Oct 24, 2010Administaff Small Business Classic71-65-63=199−17 7 strokes Mark Wiebe
    5Aug 20, 2011Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship68-66-68-71=273−11 Playoff John Cook
    6Oct 16, 2011AT&T Championship65-62-66=193−23 7 strokes Mark Calcavecchia
    7Mar 25, 2012Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic63-70-69=202−14 1 stroke Michael Allen
    8Jul 29, 2012The Senior Open Championship72-68-64-67=271−9 2 strokes Gary Hallberg
    9Charles Schwab Cup Championship65-65-68-69=267−17 6 strokes Bernhard Langer, Mark O'Meara,
    Peter Senior
    10Toshiba Classic (2)65-67-66=198−15 1 stroke Bernhard Langer, Colin Montgomerie,
    Steve Pate
    11Aug 31, 2014 Shaw Charity Classic68-66-61=195−15 Playoff Billy Andrade
    12Chubb Classic (2)68-65-67=200−16 3 strokes Miguel Ángel Jiménez
    13Jun 25, 2017American Family Insurance Championship67-68-66=201−152 strokes Scott Verplank
    14Oct 16, 2022SAS Championship68-68-60=196−206 strokes Steven Alker

    PGA Tour Champions playoff record (2–2)

    No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
    12010Senior PGA Championship David Frost, Tom LehmanLehman won with par on first extra hole
    22011Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship John CookWon with birdie on third extra hole
    32014Shaw Charity Classic Billy AndradeWon with birdie on first extra hole
    42020Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai Ernie Els, Miguel Ángel JiménezJiménez won with birdie on second extra hole
    Couples eliminated by par on first hole

    Playoff record

    PGA Tour of Australia playoff record (0–1)

    Major championships

    Results timeline

    Results not in chronological order in 2020.

    Tournament19791980198119821983198419851986198719881989
    Masters TournamentT3210T10T31T5T11
    U.S. OpenT48LACUTCUTT9T39T46T10T21
    The Open ChampionshipT4T46T40T4T6
    PGA ChampionshipT3T23T20T6T36CUTCUTCUT
    Tournament1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
    Masters Tournament5T351T21T10T15T7T2T27
    U.S. OpenCUTT3T17T16T16CUTT52T53CUT
    The Open ChampionshipT25T3CUTT9T7T7T66
    PGA Championship2T27T21T31T39T31T41T29T13T26
    Tournament2000200120022003200420052006200720082009
    Masters TournamentT1126T36T28T6T39T3T30CUTCUT
    U.S. OpenT16CUTT66CUTT15T48
    The Open Championship6CUTT46T3CUT
    PGA ChampionshipCUTT37T34T70CUTCUTT36
    Tournament 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
    Masters Tournament6T15T12T13T20CUTT18T38
    U.S. Open
    The Open ChampionshipT32
    PGA Championship
    Tournament201920202021202220232024
    Masters TournamentCUTCUTCUTCUTT50CUT
    PGA Championship
    U.S. Open
    The Open ChampionshipNT
    LA = Low amateur
    CUT = missed the half-way cut
    "T" indicates a tie for a place
    NT = No tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

    Summary

    Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
    1 1 1 5 11 20 39 31
    PGA Championship 0 1 1 2 3 7 25 19
    0 0 1 1 3 9 23 16
    0 0 2 4 9 10 18 15
    Totals 1 2 5 12 26 46 105 81

    The Players Championship

    Wins (2)

    YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner(s)-up
    2 shot lead −11 (71-64-71-71=277) 1 stroke Lee Trevino
    The Players Championship (2) 4 shot deficit −18 (66-72-68-64=270) 4 strokes Colin Montgomerie, Tommy Tolles

    Results timeline

    CUT = missed the halfway cut
    "T" indicates a tie for a place.

    Results in World Golf Championships

    Tournament19992000200120022003200420052006
    Match PlayR16R64R32R32R64
    ChampionshipNT1T10T36T15
    InvitationalT15T21T32T28WD
    1Cancelled due to 9/11
    QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
    "T" = Tied
    WD = Withdrew
    NT = No tournament

    Senior major championships

    Wins (2)

    YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner-up
    2011 1 shot lead −11 (68-66-68-71=273) Playoff John Cook
    2012 1 shot deficit −9 (72-68-64-67=271) 2 strokes Gary Hallberg

    Results timeline

    Results not in chronological order before 2021.

    Tournament 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
    The TraditionT6342DQNT
    Senior PGA ChampionshipT2T12NT
    Senior Players ChampionshipWD1T4T2T22T8T3
    U.S. Senior Open2T12T14T4T44NT7
    Senior British Open Championship1T21T13T5T3T21T60NT
    DQ = disqualified
    WD = withdrew
    CUT = missed the half-way cut
    "T" indicates a tie for a place
    NT = No tournament due to COVID-19 pandemic

    U.S. national team appearances

    1989 (tie), 1991 (winners), 1993 (winners), 1995, 1997

    1990, 1991

    1991, 1992, 1993 (winners), 1994

    1992 (winners), 1993 (winners), 1994 (winners), 1995 (winners)

    1994 (winners), 1996 (winners), 1998, 2005 (winners), 2009 (non-playing captain, winners), 2011 (non-playing captain, winners), 2013 (non-playing captain, winners)

    2004 (winners)

    See also

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: Couples to be inducted into World Golf Hall of Fame. World Golf Hall of Fame. September 19, 2012. April 12, 2013. dead. https://archive.today/20130416065120/http://www.worldgolfhalloffame.org/induction/induction_candidates.php. April 16, 2013. mdy-all.
    2. News: The Seattle Times. The Couples Conundrum – Now In His 17th Year As A Pro, Fred Couples Returns Home For A Tournament, Seemingly Comfortable Finishing In The Middle Of The Pack. Hugo. Kugiya. July 20, 1997. 12–19. September 19, 2012. December 13, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131213001850/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19970720&slug=2550326. live.
    3. Web site: Fred Couples profile. mahalo.com. September 19, 2012. October 22, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081022160134/http://www.mahalo.com/Fred_Couples. live.
    4. Web site: 35 Pacific Northwest Croatian Athletes. Croatian Chronicle Network. February 7, 2011. September 19, 2012. dead. https://archive.today/20120723220258/http://www.croatianchronicle.com/ccn/seattle-croatiafest-a-resounding-success-dp1. July 23, 2012. mdy-all.
    5. News: The Couples Conundrum. Seattle Times. Kugiya. Hugo. (Pacific Magazine). July 20, 1997. 12. June 22, 2013. December 13, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131213001850/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19970720&slug=2550326. live.
    6. News: Remembering His Golfing Roots . Seattle Times . John . Peoples . July 28, 1994 . January 24, 2017 . February 2, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170202081824/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19940728&slug=1922550 . live .
    7. News: Couples survives five-way playoff . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon) . (Washington Post) . June 6, 1983 . 2D . November 27, 2020 . April 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405171504/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6_RVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6619,1514407 . live .
    8. News: Kemper Open replay unlikely . . (Prescott, Arizona) . . May 31, 1984 . 13B . September 19, 2012 . April 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405171505/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ebtLAAAAIBAJ&pg=7086,6588457&dq=barry+jaeckel+bar+kemper&hl=en . live .
    9. News: Couples claims Kemper in sudden death . . (Lakeland, Florida) . Associated Press . June 6, 1983 . 3D . September 19, 2012-->,November 27, 2020 . April 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405171504/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=B8JNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4928,2278473 . live .
    10. News: A solitary golfer wins Doral Open . Eugene Register-Guard . (Oregon) . Associated Press . March 7, 1994 . 6B . November 27, 2020 . April 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405171504/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1FBWAAAAIBAJ&pg=6889,1469326 . live .
    11. News: A hit at the Hope . Sports Illustrated . Shipnuck . Alan . January 26, 1998 . G2 . July 24, 2018 . July 25, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180725003114/https://www.si.com/vault/1998/01/26/238044/a-hit-at-the-hope-fred-couples-having-survived-a-traumatic-1997-was-a-popular-winner-in-palm-springs . live .
    12. News: 2023-04-08 . Couples, 63, oldest to make cut at the Masters . 2023-04-09 . ESPN . Paolo . Uggetti . April 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230409014910/https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/36117415/fred-couples-63-oldest-player-make-cut-masters . live .
    13. News: Ronald . Issy . 2023-04-08 . Fred Couples makes history as the oldest player to make the cut at The Masters . 2023-04-09 . CNN . April 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230409014911/https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/08/golf/fred-couples-oldest-player-cut-the-masters-spt-intl/index.html . live .
    14. Web site: Fred Couples uses Super Glue on his fingers before rounds . TheGolfNewsNet . Ryan . Ballengee . November 1, 2013 . April 9, 2023 . April 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230409022722/https://thegolfnewsnet.com/ryan_ballengee/2013/11/01/fred-couples-super-glue-fingers-rounds-5354/ . live .
    15. Web site: Couples, Pavin set for official Champions Tour debut . Champions Tour . January 8, 2010 . December 10, 2013 . December 13, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131213222739/http://www.pgatour.com/champions/news/2010/01/06/debuts.html . live .
    16. Fred Couples OUT of Augusta action . April 4, 2016 . bunkered . Martin . Inglis . April 8, 2016 . April 18, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160418082807/http://www.bunkered.co.uk/golf-news/fred-couples-out-of-augusta-action . live .
    17. Web site: Bates Golf Group . Bates Golf Design Group . June 19, 2013 . June 19, 2013 . February 13, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130213072000/http://www.batesgolfgroup.com/project-history-couples-bates . live .
    18. Notebook: Deborah Couples' Suicide – Unhappy Ending . . Gary . Van Sickle . June 11, 2001 . September 19, 2012 . April 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170410213847/https://www.si.com/vault/2001/06/11/305024/notebook . live .
    19. Web site: 12th MAN Flag Raiser Interview - Fred Couples. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131204054151/http://www.seahawks.com/videos-photos/videos/12th-MAN-Flag-Raiser-Interview---Fred-Couples/3bbee939-b44c-4ecc-9f68-29963d55c5b9 . December 4, 2013 .
    20. Web site: Inaugural Croatian-American Sports Hall of Fame induction held . . October 18, 2022 . croatianweek.com . March 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230310025208/https://www.croatiaweek.com/inaugural-croatian-american-sports-hall-of-fame-induction-held/ . live .