Augusta, Ga. – There was a sense, one that began almost from the moment he arrived at the hallowed Augusta National Golf Club, that Fred Couples was destined to win the 2006 Masters.
When he checked in for the tournament, Couples’ caddie, Joe LaCava, was assigned uniform No. 86 – 1986, of course, being the year that Jack Nicklaus won his sixth and final green jacket. The Golden Bear was 46 that year – the same age Couples is now.
However, Couples’ bid to become the oldest Masters champion – he’s three months older than Nicklaus was when he won in 1986 – was not to be.
Misses on four birdie putts of 5 feet or shorter made the difference as Couples had to settle for a tie for third.
“Every now and then, I can play well,” Couples said. “It just doesn’t happen that often.”
Couples hit 16 of 18 greens in regulation, tying Robert Allenby for the best mark in the field, but his 34 putts were more than anyone except Rich Beem (34) and Darren Clarke (37).
The 1992 champion, Couples also came close to setting another tournament record – the longest span between Masters wins. Gary Player has the mark of 13 years, winning in 1961 and 1974.
Clark not bragging
While Tim Clark’s final-round 69 was one stroke better than playing partner Tiger Woods, the South African wasn’t about to shout it out to the world.
“It’s just one day out there,” Clark said. “Tiger’s game is extremely impressive. On the back nine, when he needed to turn it on, he hit some unbelievable shots. You sort of sit there and realize, ‘There’s no way I’m ever going to be able to hit that shot as long as I live.”‘
Taking charge early
Phil Mickelson shot a 2-under-par 70 to take the lead entering the final round. The third round ended early Sunday after a four-hour delay Saturday. His 3-under 212 after 54 holes was the highest for a leader since Ben Crenshaw’s 213 in 1989.
