Couples has Nicklaus' endorsement

by Marla Ridenour and Michael Beaven
Courtesy of Knight Ridder Newspapers

AKRON, Ohio - (KRT) - Fred Couples' resurgence on the golf course happened at just the right time.

Couples, 45, was named to the Presidents Cup team by American captain Jack Nicklaus. On Tuesday at Firestone Country Club, Couples talked about a possible "last hurrah."

Couples said that if the team was picked earlier in the year, he would not have been selected.

"I was way out of it and played well in the summer, and I think that certainly helps, to be playing better right before the picks are chosen," Couples said.

Nicklaus, 65, dismissed Couples' "last hurrah" talk.

"I think Freddie probably has a little golf left in him," Nicklaus said. "I think when I was 45 I didn't really think much about what was going to happen in the future in relation to golf.

"It was just sort of why was I even playing; I wasn't too sure about that time, and then all of a sudden the Masters came along in '86, and it was like, 'Oh, this is why I've been playing,' " he said with a laugh about the victory.