Fred Couples: Battling Illness and Still Competing at 64
Some athletes just don’t know how to give up, pushing forward with relentless passion. That’s exactly the case with Fred Couples. At 64 years old, the 1992 Masters champion could easily choose to slow down, but that’s not in his nature. Despite battling illness for an entire week, Couples still showed up to compete at the Hoag Classic—not just to participate, but to play at a high level. By the end of the first round, he was tied for seventh place (T7), demonstrating the kind of resilience that has made him one of the most respected figures in golf.
Struggling with Illness, Yet Still Performing
After his round, Couples gave a candid interview about the health issues he has been facing. He admitted that he had been sick for days leading up to the tournament, explaining, “I don’t feel well. I went to the desert to practice really hard, and I got sick. 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.”
While he has been pushing through the sickness, it’s clear that it has impacted his game, especially his putting—an area in which he usually excels. He described his struggles on the green, saying, “For me, putting, it was a chore because I just—I couldn’t hear the click of the ball hitting the putter.” His statement highlights just how in tune he is with his craft—missing even a tiny detail like that can throw him off.
A Career Defined by Playing Through Pain
If there’s one thing Couples is no stranger to, it’s competing through pain. His back problems date back to 1994, and in 2024, he still relies on cortisone shots and physical therapy from Dr. Chad Beauchamp to keep him going. While his lower back isn’t as bad as it once was, an injury from the 2020 Sanford International remains a lingering issue. “It’s just been there forever,” he remarked, brushing it off as just another part of the game.
Despite these ongoing struggles, Couples isn’t ready to slow down. At Augusta National, he has made 31 career cuts—just six behind Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record. As he looks ahead to the 2025 Masters, he knows he has 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 remains simple: make the cut one more time—because he’s not done yet.
Controversy Over Comments About Brooks Koepka
While Couples’ health struggles have been a significant topic, his recent comment about Brooks Koepka has generated even more discussion.
In a recent post shared by NUCLR Golf on X, Couples’ remarks about Koepka’s rumored desire to return to the PGA Tour quickly caught attention. The post quoted Couples as saying:
> “I talk 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 Golf contract is set to expire in 2025, Couples’ statement raised eyebrows. However, while fans were debating what this might mean, Phil Mickelson stepped into the conversation with a sharp response.
Phil Mickelson Fires Back
Mickelson took to social media to call out Couples for speaking on Koepka’s behalf, saying:
> “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.”
His blunt criticism quickly became a hot topic, sparking discussions across the golf world. However, Mickelson later deleted his post, possibly deciding to step away from the controversy. Even so, the debate had already taken off, with fans taking sides—some agreeing with Mickelson, while others defended Couples.
As of now, Koepka has yet to comment, leaving speculation about his potential PGA Tour return up in the air. Whether or not he will address the rumors remains uncertain, but one thing is clear—this story is far from over.