NAPLES, Fla. — Fred Couples put in additional work than typical to prepare for the Masters, solely to have his worst efficiency in 36 appearances. Again on the PGA Tour Champions, he was extra comfy and near flawless.
Couples did not miss a fairway, organising wedges or quick irons into many of the holes, and he had a 9-under 63 to construct a two-shot lead after the opening spherical Friday of the Chubb Traditional.
Bernhard Langer, one in every of gamers at Augusta Nationwide final week, shot a 65. Ryder Cup captain Steve Stricker was amongst these one other shot behind.
Couples matched his lowest spherical of the season with a 63, which featured 5 straight birdies to shut out the entrance 9 on the Black course at Tiburon Golf Membership.
He could not bear in mind all the main points of his spherical, solely that it was straightforward.
“Plenty of wedges, however I hit a whole lot of fairways,” Couples stated. “I saved the ball in play, saved it under the outlet and the outlet acquired large there for a few five-hole stretch. And I hit the ball strong all day. However hitting the fairways was enormous.”
Couples is not positive what occurred on the Masters, the place he had rounds of 79-78. He frolicked in Florida with longtime buddy Sam Reeves at Seminole, the place he performed with a number of PGA Tour gamers to prepare.
“After which I acquired to Augusta and I simply type of froze on a number of pictures on the market. All that follow did not repay,” he stated. “However I can promise you immediately was day ballstriking. And I’ve practiced fairly laborious, so it is payoff immediately.”
Jose Maria Olazabal, the two-time Masters champion and the one participant on the Chubb Traditional to make the lower at Augusta Nationwide this 12 months, opened with a 73.
Langer had few complaints about his 65, primarily as a result of he was a late arrival. He had a board assembly in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and did not get to the course till Wednesday. His first time seeing the Black course was for the pro-am, not a typical follow spherical.
“Possibly that can turn into a routine if it retains going like this. Possibly I am going to present up Thursday morning to any extent further and simply go,” he stated. “I’ve carried out it a few times if I needed to. I would not name it ideally suited. I’ve an important caddie who’s carried out the homework, and so long as I hit it the place I am wanting, we’re in good condition.”
Kevin Sutherland, the Charles Schwab Cup chief, opened with a 70.