Fred Couples wins Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic – Golf News
Fred Couples fired a three-under par 69 in the final round of the Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic to take a one-stroke margin victory over Michael Allen on Sunday, March 25, 2012.
It was his seventh victory on the Champions Tour and the first of the 2012 season.
Couples started the round while sharing the lead with Jeff Sluman at 11-under tournament score. The birdie on the very first hole took him one stroke ahead of Sluman and kept his position on the top until he bogeyed the 17th hole.
While playing the last hole of the tournament, he was sharing the lead with Allen. An eight-foot birdie putt on the 18th confirmed his victory in the tournament.
According to the previous stats, the 18th hole is considered to be the hardest one on the course. Moreover, a birdie to finish a round is rarely witnessed at the Fallen Oak golf course.
However, Couples was seen making it quite simply, as his drive found the fairway followed by a beautiful shot to reach eight feet from the hole.
Apart from the win, he also broke the course record during his play in the opening round on Friday, when he scored a nine-under par 63.
According to Couples, the win was special to him as he wanted to move into the Masters Tournament with a winning momentum.
This way, he will have confidence in his game and he will, in turn, put some pressure on his opponents.
"I want to go into (the Masters) after winning a tournament like this feeling some confidence and I did get a lot today," Couples said.
He continued, "I hit a lot of good shots. I would say I've got a lot to work on, but if I can drive it like that, the course will be easier".
Allen, on the other hand, had a better final round on Sunday as he carded six-under par 66. Yet, he failed to force the game into playoffs because of the birdie putt made by Couples.
"I don't get too caught up in it," Allen said. "That's one of the reasons I don't watch scoreboards -- I don't need any extra anxiety. Just do what I do. Then all of a sudden (on 18) I'm like, 'Do I have to think of a speech?'"
Couples will now fly to Augusta National to participate in the first major event of the year.
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