Fred Couples has played as well as he has in two years during this week’s Buick Invitational, entering play on Sunday in a tie for 11th place. With Tiger Woods, at -18 and eight shots clear of second place Stewart Cink, having all but wrapped up the tournament for a fourth time in a row, Fred will be battling for a top ten finish. Couples third round on Torrey Pines South Course was bookended by birdies at the first and last holes, firing a 1-under 71. Fred started the day in ninth place and had found himself at one point on Friday in the top five before a bogey and double bogey dropped him back.
Fred will tee off on Sunday at 12:45 PM in the sixth to last threesome. His playing partners are Carlos Franco and Charles Howell III.
An update on Fred’s health can be found in this article from San Diego Union Tribune.
“I’m tired right now,” Couples said after he signed his scorecard. “So I’m going to go back and rest, but I feel good. I’m enthused. I get to play tomorrow, I don’t know about Sunday because I hear it’s going to be nasty, but it was fun today.”
Couples said the credit for his improved back goes to the alignment work he’s put in with Dr. John Patterson of Waco, Texas, who has worked with athletes such as Atlanta Braves pitcher John Smoltz and tour player Brad Elder. Couples first visited Patterson three months ago after being frustrated with the various treatments he was getting.
“As long as I don’t do anything, I should stay aligned,” Couples said. “But it’s day to day. Once it goes out again, I’m out for a while. It’s just part of the deal.”
Fred’s back is obviously doing well for now – good enough that he’s entered next week’s FBR Open.
