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RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — With the notable exception of Tiger Woods, Fred {Couples} might need probably the most well-known unhealthy again within the historical past of golf. And proper now, that again is just not cooperating.
Thursday, {Couples} was sounding like a person who won’t get to the primary tee on Friday on the Galleri Basic. Seems, {Couples} was proper.
“I can get it round. Final week a part of the issue was there have been a pair instances within the group the place I’m enjoying with guys on a par-3 and so they’re hitting a 6-iron and I’ve a 4-iron out simply attempting to dink it up there,” {Couples} stated Thursday. “I attempted to hit a 5 on one gap and it simply didn’t work out effectively, however that might have occurred the following gap or the following day. On Saturday I simply couldn’t even swing.”
{Couples} ended up withdrawing from the Hoag Basic in Newport Seashore within the second spherical, and he admitted the again hadn’t improved a lot because the Galleri Basic started this week. However with the Galleri being performed on {Couples}’ outdated dwelling course at Mission Hills Nation Membership, {Couples} wished to do all the things he might to play this week. As an alternative, it was a second withdrawal in two weeks.
“It was raining and freezing (in Newport Seashore) and I couldn’t get unfastened, and it was only a waste of time even to proceed to play,” {Couples} stated. “So I attempted to relaxation just a little bit. The climate’s superior (Thursday). I do know it’s not alleged to be nice Saturday and Sunday, however that’s the way in which it goes. I’ll get it round at this time and I’ll see what’s happening tonight. I simply don’t really feel superb.”
Extra: Bernhard Langer’s absence from Galleri Basic a reminder of how good he’s been
The Galleri Basic is vital to {Couples} for a number of causes. First, he lived at Mission Hills for years and continues to stay within the Coachella Valley. Second, he performed the Dinah Shore Match Course for a few years with buddy and fellow PGA Tour professional John Prepare dinner and George Brett of the Kansas Metropolis Royals. The event final yr marked the return of the PGA Tour Champions to the desert, one thing the 64-year-old {Couples} had hopes would occur with him nonetheless on the tour.
“It’s an excellent occasion. Lots of people final yr, too,” {Couples} stated. “Once more, we’re fortunate to play all these tournaments that we’ve got, however I’ll let you know for being a desert rat for 40 years, I’m hoping I’m wholesome sufficient to simply get it round. However I’d wish to play at the least two or three extra years right here.”
Fred {Couples} takes his putt on the seventh inexperienced through the Professional-Am at The Galleri Basic in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Thursday, March 28, 2024.
Making an attempt to remain on tour
{Couples}, probably the most standard gamers amongst followers and along with his fellow gamers on the PGA Tour Champions, has fought again bother since his days on the PGA Tour, the place he gained 15 instances together with the 1992 Masters. He’s gained 14 instances on the PGA Tour Champions, the final win on the SAS Championship in 2022. However final yr {Couples} performed simply 10 senior occasions, managing only one top-10 end, one thing that clearly frustrates him.
“Now that I’m 64 my aim is to not come play a golf event and really feel unhealthy and end forty fifth,” he stated. “That’s like not a lot enjoyable. I’m not saying there’s something mistaken with it, however I’m previous that. So I’ll play a handful of tournaments and play with my buddies and revel in golf.”
Officers of the Galleri could be comforted that whilst {Couples} begins selecting and selecting choose tournaments to play, the desert event is excessive on {Couples}’ checklist.
“I’ve some hand-picked ones. I’ll play in Newport as a result of I can get round there. I’ll play right here,” {Couples} stated. “I would go as much as Pebble (Seashore) and play. However I’m not going to journey round and play. I’ve really felt okay in Hawaii and in Naples, however I simply, I’m so afraid to harm myself by working towards for a pair hours and I don’t really feel effectively.”
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