Fred Couples was at least able to make a comeback in the 2024 season, although he was unable to put up a great show. He appeared in seven PGA Tour Champions Tournaments, but was able to make it to the top – 20 only in the Boeing Classic. He was also a part of the Masters but missed the cut after a cumulative score of 12-over. But why exactly is this a comeback? Last year ahead of the Boeing Classic, he went on a nine-week hiatus. And ever since he has been back, there is one accessory that has remained constant with his gameplay.

Fred Couples never misses to wear sleeves on his right leg. Even recently, the official X account of NUCLR Golf took to their wall and shared a video of him swinging his club at the Ritz Carlton ahead of the PNC Championship. The shots were smooth enough, but he had the sleeve intact on his right leg. But what exactly makes him wear it?  While there has been no official reason stated as to why he puts it up, at the pre-round presser in Snoqualmie Washington last year, he shared that he was dealing with a back injury. He shared that in January 2023, he was detected with a hernia and tried to stretch it.

He appeared in seven Champions Tour events before the surgery, and that only made matters worse. “Then all of a sudden, my legs started to bother me, so I went in and the doctor said, ‘Come on, you can’t keep screwing around,’ so I went and had…July 5th actually, he worked on me. So here we are a month and a few days later, and this is the third time I’ve hit the driver in six days,” he added. “I’m doing ok, I’m not embarrassing myself after being off for almost nine weeks.” This could be why he still wears the sleeves on his legs, to ensure safety in the course.

Fred Couples still does not have his back fully recovered. After two terrible rounds at the Masters, he even confessed that he felt embarrassed because he was struggling to make the perfect swing at the Augusta National.

 Fred Couples wishes to remain healthy

The 1992 champion, known for his expertise at Augusta National, struggled through rounds of 80 and 76, making it almost certain he’ll miss the cut for only the eighth time in 39 appearances. After signing his scorecard on Friday, he was asked if he might not return next year.

“No, no, I’m planning on being healthy, making the cut, and telling Fred [Ridley] I’ll be back next year too,” the 64-year-old responded. “This was ugly.” He even added that he could barely hit an iron shot. “I went around, every wood I hit was really, really solid, but it is howling.”

“On 7, I hit a 6-iron because I didn’t know what else to hit, and I carried it about 100 yards. [On] No. 9 I hit a great drive and then had 125 and I had 50 yards left for my third,” he said. He concluded that although he has gotten his back fixed and can play forever, he has no intentions of playing like this. And thus he probably will not be seen competing at the Masters anymore. What are your thoughts on Fred Couples and his career? Let us know in the comments section below!