Golf-Tiger ready to play Couples again after trouble and strife (Reuters)
March 31, 2010
By Andrew Both
HUMBLE, Texas, March 31 (Reuters) – Fred Couples, one ofgolf’s most experienced campaigners and the U.S. Presidents Cupcaptain, will play a U.S. Masters practice round with TigerWoods at Augusta National on Monday.
Couples said he was not sure what time he and Woods wouldplay on Monday, speculating that it might not be until after thedisgraced world number one’s 2pm (1900 BST) press conference.
“I’ve played with him six or eight times the last 10 yearsin a practice round there, so it’s not like I’m trying to getaround him,” said the 1992 Masters champion.
“He’s the best player in the world, he’s won it a bunch oftimes, he knows how to play the course, and even at my age Istill learn some of the nuances about Augusta, and that’s whyI’m playing with him.”
Couples said he expects four-time winner Woods to come outwith all guns blazing at the Masters, which will be the worldNo. 1’s first tournament in nearly five months, since reports ofmarital infidelity first surfaced.
“We all know he made a mistake and we’ll see how heovercomes it. I’m a friend of his, not his counsellor but I knowat Augusta he’ll be ready to go.”
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Couples also has no doubt Woods will be part of the Americanteam at next year’s Presidents Cup against a World team, but isnot quite so sure Woods will be on board for this year’s RyderCup in Wales.
“I believe he’s ready to start playing and I know all theteam mates will want him on there but I don’t know.”
Couples, 50, was speaking ahead of the Houston Open thatstarts on Thursday.
He arrived here on a hot streak after winning the past threetournaments on the Champions Tour for seniors aged 50 or over.
Couples attended a press conference with PGA Tourcommissioner Tim Finchem, who announced that Couples and GregNorman would return as respective captains for the PresidentsCup at Royal Melbourne in Australia next November.
Couples guided the Americans to victory against theNorman-led International team at last year’s event in SanFrancisco.
(Editing by Jon Bramley; To comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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