Last year, LIV Golf emerged and disrupted life as we knew it for the PGA Tour. Despite nearly a year passing since this began, the controversies continue. Especially with the defectors being allowed to compete in all the major championships, including the Masters this week. Amid that controversy, Fred Couples has had a lot to say. Just recently, he dissed the Saudi-backed league and Phil Mickelson, and now with his latest statement, he seems to have taken a complete U-turn!
Fred Couples has a soft spot for Phil Mickelson
Just a few days ago, Couples, amid praising Lefty by saying that he was “probably one of the 10 best players that ever played,” also had some harsh words for Lefty. The 1992 Masters winner called the defector a “nutbag” for jumping ship and trashing the PGA Tour while doing so.
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He added that he had no problem with the LIV golfers, except for one: their bashing of the Tour! “Just go to the LIV Tour, but stop blasting something I’ve been a part of for 42 years,” he said, as per the Orange County Register. “That’s my problem with (LIV golfers). They’re all bashing the PGA Tour, and that affects me a little bit.”
🚨 Fred Couples on Phil: “I would love to be paired with Phil". “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 (get paired), we’d look at each other on the first hole and we’d have a good time." (Via: @BobHarig)
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) April 3, 2023
Yet, soon after his stinging words for the golf pro and LIV Golf, Couples recently declared immense admiration for the six-time major winner. He completely turned back on his harsh words. “I would love to be paired with Phil,” he said, as per Sports Illustrated’s recent report, talking about the Masters this week, for which both golf pros have lifetime invites. “I mean, he’s one of the best players that ever played.”
Couples and Mickelson have a lot in common when it comes to the Masters
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The 63-year-old PGA Tour loyalist explained that he and Lefty both had immense respect for the iconic Augusta National. He was certain that if the two were paired up, there would be no controversy; in fact, they would have a pretty good time. “He loves this place as much as I do, and if we did (get paired), we’d look at each other on the first hole, and we’d have a good time,” he stated.
It’s quite clear that, despite his jump to the breakaway tour, Couples had no issue with Mickelson. The Lefty had dished out some firm words against the tour. But from the loyalists’ end, they forgave it all. He was just looking forward to playing some good golf at one of the most coveted events in the sport!
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Do you think the two should be paired together? And will it turn out exactly as the loyalist imagines? Let us know in the comments below.