Couples one round away from another major Masters miracle

Fred Couples bounced back Saturday, and now the coolest player on the planet goes into the final round only four off the pace. Can he pull off a win for the ages? He certainly thinks so.

By Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Contributor

AUGUSTA, Ga. – He figures he needs a career round here Sunday. A 65 or a 66.

A miracle.

Fred Couples knows all about those. Think back to Sunday afternoon in 1992 when his ball hit the bank at the 12th hole and everyone figured his chances were gone. But the ball stuck. Like a dart.

CBS went to break just as it hit. Jim Nantz’s script flew up in the air. Did it go in? Did it stay out? He held his breath. They dreamed about this back nine in their suite at Bates Hall back in their Houston Cougar days. Nantz making the call, then helping Freddie into the Green Jacket.

That moment came true. Complete with tears and a huge bear hug.

Could it happen twice? This time for history?

The coolest player on the planet has everyone wondering if he can repeat what he did at 32 at the salt-and-pepper, cranky-back age of 50. He’s four shots back going into the final day with a chance – at a comeback win for the ages, an opportunity to push Jack Nicklaus to line two on the list of oldest players to win here and – shudder -- make us wonder if he’s really aged at all.

He was the hottest player in the world back in ’92. And now? He’s the best senior player on the planet, one of the best in the game and the only man in the field with three wins this year – and they were in a row. Doesn’t matter that they came on the Champions Tour. He won.

He’s the only player in the field without socks, too. And the poster boy for comfy skater shoes. And, well, the exclamation point on a leader board filled with superstars and great stories.

“I just love this place,’’ he said. “I have a shot at it tomorrow if I can shoot a crazy score, and we'll see what happens.’’

He shrugged at the mention of being a favorite when it was first mentioned last week. Just say, he said, he’s playing great going to one of his favorite places. That’s enough.

And when his back acted up Friday and he bogeyed the final three holes coming home? Wasn’t pretty, but he doesn’t live with what-ifs. He got to work on his back machines and, oh, five hours and a good night’s sleep later … Freddie jumped back into the game.

“I hit the ball really, really well,’’ he said. “I putted good.  I made a lot of putts.  But those were not very long ones.  And then my birdies were all very short putts.  I need to come out and play really well tomorrow to have a chance.  I feel like I can come out under the pressure and hit it well.’’

He did Saturday.  Freddie was seven back at one point and started creeping back into it. Birdies at the first and second. Then the eighth.

Then, he jumped into the fun after exiting Amen Corner. A birdie at 14 and an eagle at 15. He was part of a late-afternoon explosion of eagles, deafening, TV tower-vibrating cheers and fun.

He was playing a group in front of his buddy Phil Mickelson – they’d texted Friday night about how low Freddie had to go to catch him – who went eagle-eagle-birdie at 13, 14 and 15.

Couples pointed back at Mickelson after he chipped in for the second eagle at 14.

“I wanted that golf ball that he holed in at 14,’’ Freddie said. “That's what I wanted.  He couldn't hear me, but I wanted that eagle ball.

“And then I chipped in on the next, so I told him he could have my eagle ball. That was pretty neat. We were right on their tail all day, and we saw most of the shots.

“ … He's going to be a guy to beat,” Couples stressed. “He really wants to win, he's a phenomenal player.  I think Phil would be the guy to beat if he's even within a shot. ‘’

Not awe. Just fact. And an interesting twist of fate.

Couples missed the cut here the last two years, but he also had chances to win here in 2004 and 2006 when he tied for sixth and tied for third – respectively – behind Mickelson.

“I know time flies,’’ he said grinning. “But tomorrow I have a shot.  I mean, I'm way behind, but I've heard other people talk about it, so I might as well say the same thing.  If I can shoot a low score I maybe can post a score and see what happens.’’

He stood there after his round, shifting his weight and twisting. He stood patiently on hold in front of CBS’s Peter Kostis waiting for the director to slot him into the telecast. He tried to stay loose a few minutes later in front of a wall of reporters.

And no, having a chance doesn’t erase those years. Or the gray hair.

“I feel 100 standing here, to be honest with you, but I don't feel 50 playing golf,’’ he said. “I still drive the ball a long way.  You know, I can hit a lot of long irons and play long, hard holes, and that's what you've got to do here,” he stated. “So you know, I'm … whatever happens tomorrow, it's not because I'm 50 and tired, it's just because I didn't play well on Sunday at Augusta, but I'm going to give it my best.’’

He knows the course. He knows himself. He knows the challenges.

Just like Nicklaus did here in 1986. Back then, we swore we’d never say never again.

And we were reminded of it at the last two British Opens, when then-53-year-old Greg Norman gave it a run at Birkdale in 2008 and a just-this-side of 60 Tom Watson came within a putt of his sixth Open last summer at Turnberry.

Age? It’s just a number.

Which brings us back to one last thing about Freddie. He’s been redefining cool since he was 20. So why not move that needle one more notch?

Augusta National, after all, is a place where dreams can come true and miracles – no matter how crazy they may seem – do happen.

Just ask him.