By Steve Keating
AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) – Fred Couples has no issues with players from LIV Golf teeing up at the Masters this week as long as they do it without bashing the PGA Tour.
After signing up with the Saudi backed LIV circuit, some members delighted in taking shots at the PGA Tour as they left their old work place.
Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, has not been shy about defending the PGA Tour, adding that if any LIV golfers take issue with his comments they will know where to find him this week.
“If one wants to stop and ask why I’m picking on them, then I’m all for it,” said Couples after his Monday practice round. “But I don’t really think I’ve done anything horrific.
“They’re making comments and I’m replying to them. That’s it.
“I just don’t think they should bash the PGA Tour or anybody, just go play golf.”
Three-times Masters champion Phil Mickelson and 2017 Green Jacket winner Sergio Garcia have both been critical of the PGA Tour and the target of Couples’ barbs.
Speaking at a Champions Tour breakfast, Couples took a shot at Mickelson and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund that is bankrolling the LIV Tour.
“If you’re giving Phil Mickelson $200 million at age 52 to shoot 74 and 75, God bless you,” said Couples.
Couples went on to call Mickelson a “nutbag” and Garcia a “clown”.
“I have no problem with any of them, just please do not bash a Tour that I have 43 years invested in,” added Couples, who played his practice round with two of the PGA Tour’s most vocal supporters Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
“It bothers the hell out of me.
“They don’t bother me. They really don’t. They’re golfers. I’m a golfer.
“I respect them all.
“Go play and have a good time.”
The sniping could add a bit of spice to Tuesday’s Champions dinner that will be hosted by last year’s winner Scottie Scheffler.
“Tomorrow night will be a great dinner, a lot of fun,” assured Couples. “I sit in a great spot, so I’m down by all the beautiful people that I’ve sat with, and it’s not that the other ones aren’t, but I’m saying (Jack) Nicklaus, Tiger, (Raymond) Floyd, myself, Sandy Lyle, and then right to the head of the table.
“So for 20 years almost Raymond has told me where to sit and how to do it, and I’m not near a whole lot of people.”
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Augusta, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
