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Looking for the Texas two-step 1987 champ Couples dances in as favorite in Irving
Posted: Monday May 10, 1999 06:16 PM
By Benjamin Berman, CNN/SI ATLANTA -- Back trouble or not, Fred Couples is going to give it his all at the Byron Nelson Classic in Irving, Texas. Although Couples now calls Los Angeles home, he will always have special ties to the Lone Star State. Once an undergrad at the University of Houston, where his roommates were CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz and fellow PGA professional Blaine McCallister, Couples has a strong history in Texas. Besides a prolific college career, he has also called Dallas home and shined as a pro in the state. In the Byron Nelson Classic he has a title and a second-place finish to his credit. In 1987 at this event, Couples defeated Mark Calcavecchia in a playoff -- Couples third PGA win. Then at last year's event, he fired a 63 on Saturday -- tied for the low round of the tournament -- to take a two-stroke lead heading into the final round. His Sunday-round 72 was steady, but not enough as he finished tied for second at 14 under, three strokes back of John Cook, who shot a 65 in the final round. The '99 campaign has been tough for Couples, who is currently ranked No. 13 in the world. Despite his arthritic back causing havoc yet again, Couples has finished fourth twice in 1999 and his four top-10 finishes rank sixth on the circuit. Still, these are not close to the numbers the PGA world has come to expect of Couples. Twice voted PGA Tour Player of the Year by his peers (1991 and 1992), Couples is tied for 53rd in scoring in 1999. No question the past few years Couples has struggled due to his back troubles.
Struggling for Fred Couples anyway. Despite three victories since 1994, Couples has continued to be a favorite on the course and in the galleries. In '98 he gave the fans plenty to cheer about, winning the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic and Memorial Tournament. At the Bob Hope Classic, Couples came from behind to beat Bruce Lietzke. Meanwhile at the Memorial, Couples blew away the field, winning by four strokes over Andrew Magee. Equally impressive was Couples' showing at the 1998 Masters. He opened with a 69 at Augusta National, good for a one-stroke lead. He also shared the lead after 36 holes, and held a two-stroke advantage heading into the final round. Unfortunately, his bid for a wire-to-wire Masters title was upended on the final hole. All he could do was watch on No. 18, as Mark O'Meara's 18-foot birdie putt rolled in for the one-stroke victory. Couples shot a 70 that day and finished tied for second with David Duval. When he turns in his scorecard for the final time -- hopefully light years away -- Couples will go down as one of the greats of the game. When his back is healthy, there are very few at his elite level. There is no arguing his numbers. He has 130 top 10s in 412 career events -- that's over 31 percent of the time. He has 224 top 25s as well. In other words, Couples will be heard from almost every time he enters a tournament. After his tie for 27th at this year's Masters Tournament, Couples is still the only champion who has never missed a cut at Augusta National. Couples has 14 PGA victories since turning professional in 1980. In three different seasons, he has at least two wins, including 1998. Possibly one of the most impressive things about Couples is his mental strength. The man just won't let his back bring him down. If he is going to enter a tournament, his back will have to deal with it. Despite the arthritic trouble, Couples is still one of the largest hitters on Tour. In 1998, he ranked fourth in driving distance (289.1), second in eagles (87.4) and fourth in all-around statistics. To that I say, what back trouble? In eight events this year, he ranks 10th in greens in regulation (68.4), 11th in eagles, and eighth in scoring average (70.60) in the final round. Couples may not be playing his best heading to the Byron Nelson Classic. Heck, he may not even be close to the guy that was the Tour's best in the early '90s. Also, he hasn't played a tournament since the Masters in early April. Does it matter? Couples is always a favorite, bad back and all, no matter where the event is played. The fact that the PGA heads to Texas to play the TPC at Las Colinas for the Byron Nelson Classic makes it extra special. It also makes Couples this week's Player to Watch.
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