Couples Hoping To Turn Corner

Fred Couples received one of the luckiest breaks in Masters history in 1992 and one of its cruelest twists last year. It can be that way at Augusta National.

Couples discovered how harsh Amen Corner can be in 1998. He was the leader and apparent winner-to-be after three rounds of rock-solid golf.

"What happened has only irritated me for a year and it's still climbing," Couples said Tuesday. "But there's nothing I've ever done that I can't get over."

Couples was the leader for 66 holes until he hooked a drive into the pine trees to left of the creek on the par-5, No. 13, a tempting 485-yard dogleg that can yield eagles or disaster.

For Couples, it was doomsday after he chipped a wedge back to the fairway. Pulling out a 6-iron, he pushed his third shot and it found Rae's Creek in front of the green. He stared at the disappearing ball in disbelief.

The flustered Couples finished with a double-bogey 7 on what's considered the easiest hole of the three-hole Amen Corner swing. He still makes no excuses for what happened.

"I felt the pressure," he said. "I didn't make a good enough swing and it cost me the tournament. Maybe I should have taken more time. I felt a little rushed. It's bothered me awhile. I just hope I get another shot at it."

The collapse gave Mark O'Meara just enough room to win the tournament with birdies on the last two holes.

Couples was under par in every round (69-70-71-70) but finished tied for second.

"I feel like I should have won," Couples said. "Sometimes fate intervenes at Augusta."

Like that Sunday in 1992.

Couples' tee shot hit into the slope on the treacherous 155-yard No. 12. Somehow the ball defied gravity and clung to a blade of grass short of the water. Couples got it up-and-down for par and cruised to his first and only major championship.

A half-dozen other balls trickled into the water that day in the general area where Couples hit his ball.

"Normally you forget the good breaks you get and remember the bad one like I got last year," Couples said. "But I'll never forget the break I got in 1992."

Couples, who has been in the top 10 six times at Augusta National, has a perfect game for the course. He's a long driver, hits good irons and can putt fast greens.

"I feel like I can win," said Couples, who was fourth in The Players Championship two weeks ago. "Length is a huge deal here and this is my favorite course."

He hopes he comes to his 67th hole on Sunday in front and with a chance to tame the testy 13th.

"I'd like to be in that position again, standing there with a 3-wood in my hand trying to hit the fairway," Couples said. "To win the Masters twice would be a big deal. I let one get away last year."

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