Some people just don’t know how to give up—grinding for their passion is as natural as breathing for them. Sounds admirable? Well, that’s exactly the case with Fred Couples.
At 64 years old, the 1992 Masters champion could easily take it easy, but that’s just not who he is. Despite battling illness all week, Couples still showed up at the Hoag Classic, not just to participate but to actually compete. And guess what? He’s doing pretty damn well—by the end of Round 1, he was sitting at T7. That’s the kind of resilience that makes him one of the most respected names in golf.
Following his round, Couples gave a candid interview about his ongoing struggles, revealing that he had been sick for days leading up to the tournament. “I don’t feel well. I went to the desert to practice really hard, and I got sick,” he shared. “I stayed in bed for four days. I’ve been up here since Tuesday and I don’t really feel a whole lot better, so hopefully, it goes away soon.”
And while he’s pushing through, it’s clear the illness is messing with his game, especially his putting—something he’s usually great at. “For me, putting, it was a chore because I just, I couldn’t hear the click of the ball hitting the putter,” he admitted. Imagine being so tuned into your craft that missing a tiny detail like that throws you off.
By now Fred Couples is accustomed to such health battles
If there’s one thing Couples knows well, it’s playing through pain. His back problems date all the way back to 1994, and in 2024, he was still relying on cortisone shots and his physical therapist, Dr. Chad Beauchamp, to keep him moving. While his lower back isn’t as bad as it used to be, an injury from the 2020 Sanford International is still a mystery. “It’s just been there forever,” he said, shrugging it off like it’s just another part of the game.
Golfer Fred Couples looks at the leaderboard on the 8th green during the Par 3 Contest at the Masters tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on Wednesday, April 5, 2023. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxHUNxONLY AUG20230405545 BOBxSTRONG. Image Courtesy: IMAGO
But even with all that, Couples isn’t thinking about slowing down just yet. At Augusta National, he’s made 31 cuts—just six behind Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record. And with the 2025 Masters coming up, he’s got some decisions to make. “I have to sit down with [Augusta National chairman] Fred Ridley,” he said. “I’m 65. But I’ve missed a couple [of Masters].” His goal is simple: Make the cut one more time—because, of course, he’s not done yet.
While Couples’ health struggles have been a major talking point, his offhand comment about Brooks Koepka has stirred up even more buzz.
Fred Couples’s comment on Brooks Koepka made another veteran chime in
In a recent post by NUCLR Golf on X, Couples’ remarks about Koepka wanting to return to the PGA Tour quickly gained traction. The post quoted him saying: “I talked to Brooks Koepka all the time. I love Brooks Koepka, and I’m not going to say anything extra except I talk to him all the time… “He wants to come back. I will say that I believe he really wants to come back and play the Tour. (Via KJR 93.3 FM)”
Given that Koepka’s LIV contract is set to expire in 2025, this statement raised quite a few eyebrows. But while fans were busy speculating about what this could mean, Phil Mickelson wasn’t having any of it. The six-time major winner fired back in the comments, calling out Couples for speaking on Koepka’s behalf. “If it’s not true, he damaged a relationship which he cares about. If it is true, he took away Brooks’ control of the timeline and narrative. Either way, this is a low-class jerk move by Fred.” Ouch.
Mickelson’s response instantly became a hot topic, making headlines across the golf world. But interestingly, he later deleted the post, possibly deciding to back out of the drama. Even so, fans had already taken sides, with many supporting Mickelson’s take on the situation.
With Koepka yet to comment, all eyes are on him. Will he address the speculation? Will he actually make the move back to the PGA Tour? Only time will tell—but one thing is certain, this story isn’t going away anytime soon.
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