Fred Couples doubles down on criticism of LIV golfers

Fred Couples has doubled down on his criticism of LIV golfers, insisting that he’s just standing up for the PGA Tour. 

Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, sparked controversy last month when comments he made ahead of the Hoag Classic went viral.  

“If you’re giving Phil Mickelson $200million at age 52 to shoot 74 and 75, God bless you,” said the 63-year-old, who went on to brand Mickelson a “nutbag” and Sergio Garcia a “clown”. 

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Speaking to reporters ahead of this week’s Masters, Couples – who practised on Monday alongside Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Tom Kim – stood by his remarks.  

“I’ve made comments, but they need to understand if they’ve looked at anything I’ve ever said, I call myself the same stuff I’m calling them,” he said. “I just don’t think they should bash the PGA Tour or anybody, just go play golf.  

“Tomorrow night will be a great dinner, will be a lot of fun, and people have asked me are you going to get paired — I’m like, I would love to be paired with Phil [Mickelson]. I mean, he’s one of the best players that ever played.  

“He loves this place as much as I do, and if we did, we’d look at each other on the first hole and we’d have a good time.” 

Couples added that he supports Augusta National’s decision to allow LIV golfers to take part this week.  

“I think they deserve to be here,” he said. “Once again, I’ll say this, and I’ll probably say it tomorrow, I do a radio show, I have no problem with any of them. Just please do not bash a tour that I have 43 years invested in. It bothers the hell out of me. They don’t bother me. They really don’t. They’re golfers. I’m a golfer. I respect them all.  

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“On my show I’ve told everyone, Sergio is one of the top-10 players I’ve ever seen hit a ball, but if he’s going to make comments about the tour that I play, I’m going to make a comment back, and if it’s offensive I apologise, but they’re on another tour. Go play and have a good time.  

“Brooks Koepka, I love. Dustin Johnson, absolutely love. I’m not good enough to be paired with those guys. They’re going to play with those who are probably going to win this thing. But I have no problem with anyone on the LIV Tour. I really don’t.” 

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor