Interview: Fred Couples
Published:
What makes the Masters so special for you?
I’ve had a great passion for it from the very first time I got on there. Straight away I thought I could play it pretty well. I don’t know how many years I’ve played, maybe 26 or 27. It’s probably the greatest golfing spectacle.
Do you have any stand-out memories of the event, playing or watching?
Herman Keiser, the 1946 champion, came up to me before I won. He said, “Look, I like the way you play, but I want you to play these par 5s smarter – par for you should be 68”. I’d never looked at it that way, just trying to attack those holes at the end of the week.
What are your hopes for this year?
For me it’s just about going there, not how I play. I like getting there on Tuesday and playing. Then Sunday comes and I just like to have a little taste of it. I like to keep my mind focused on playing because I still think I can do well there.
What’s the key to winning the Masters?
It favours a long hitter, but you have to have a really good short game. When I was in my 30s I had a really good short game. Phil does it with length, hitting it pure, but when it gets off his imagination takes over. Tiger, he’s just the best player.
