PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — He lives in the desert, he’s 51 and he’s got a bad back.
Other than that Fred Couples doesn’t believe he’s all that interesting, so there is no need for him to enter the social mediasphere.
“Is it called Twittering or Tweeting?” Couples asked, when the question was posed if he has a Twitter account.
That would be no, and Facebook also holds zero appeal to Couples, who confessed to seeing “Social Network” but took little from the film.
Couples did say he texts, but aside from that he’s not sure he’s got much to say.
“If you guys write well enough, they’ll know that I’m in good shape going into tomorrow,” Couples said to reporters. “I don’t need to Tweet anybody.”
Fred Couples, at 51, leads in LA after two rounds. Photo Getty Images
Good shape would be a fair lead for Couples’ first two days at Riviera as the long-time pro leads the Northern Trust Open by a pair of strokes over J.B. Holmes, John Senden and Spencer Levin.
How he got there was simple. He eagled the first hole, courtesy of a 94-foot putt, and then negotiated a bogey-free round that included birdies at 9, 12 and 15 for a 66. Couples is eight under.
Couples is just a part-timer on the regular tour these days, given he’s crossed the threshold to be a card-carrying member of the Champions Tour.
With Couples in front at the midway point of the tournament, the possibility is gaining momentum that a plus-50 player will capture another title on the PGA Tour.
The last time that happened was 2007, when Fred Funk won the Mayakoba in Mexico. Sam Snead holds the distinction as oldest to win a PGA Tour event with his 1965 Greater Greensboro title at age 52.
At issue are whether two things will hold — the golf course and Couples’ back.
The powerful and cold Pacific storm that threatened all day Friday finally arrived by late afternoon, and darkness stranded 26 players on the course. Play is scheduled to resume Saturday morning to conclude the second round.
It’s not likely to be any better Saturday, though, as rain is forecast at least until the afternoon.
Less predictable for Couples will be his lower back, something that has bothered him for years. These days he basically hits a few balls to warm up and then plays. He doesn’t practice — says it’s too painful to bend over.
Hitting irons on the range is out. His warm-up routine is mostly a few drivers and maybe his five-wood or rescue club.
Then it’s to the first tee.
Couples said he drove the ball well Friday and confidence with his iron play at Riviera is an advantage. He also said he was able to sink a few putts.
Sounds like a simple recipe for a 66. Post round, his plan was fairly simple, too, and all with keeping his back at ease.
“I’m going to kick my feet up and watch a little of this (tournament on TV),” said Couples, who has an MRI scheduled for Monday. “And then I’ll probably go do something, relax a little, eat dinner and then go to bed.”
Couples opted for Riviera this week, despite being the defending champion at the Champions event this weekend in Naples, Fla. Couples won that tournament and three others last year in his “rookie” season on the senior circuit.
But Riviera, like Augusta National, is close to Couples’ heart.
“This is a very, very special spot to me, and I love playing here,” Couples said. “When I get to be a little older, there will be Naples every year to play.”
Of his 15 PGA Tour titles, two came in the LA event, the last in 1992. That was also the year Couples won the Masters.
A third victory would place him in select company for the tournament that was first played in 1926. Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer each won the event three times.
But the last time Couples tasted victory among the flat bellies was 2003 at the Shell Houston Open.
At Riviera, Couples likes his chances.
“I’ve played 150 rounds on this course probably,” Couples said. “I don’t think anyone in this field has played as many rounds as I have. So that’s an advantage for me.”
Couples is clear about what he needs to do over the weekend.
Just don’t expect to get any Tweets.
Mike Scarr is the editor of Golflink.com. He can be reached at golflinkeditor@demandmedia.com.
