DUBLIN, Ohio – It has been a good week for Freddie Couples on many levels.
His opening 70 at the Memorial left him tied for 13th and not once on Thursday while paired with Tiger Woods, who now employs Couples’ longtime caddie Joe LaCava, did the 53-year-old wander over to the wrong bag.
“Three years ago I walked over (to LaCava who was caddying for Dustin Johnson at the time) and thought that was my bag,” Couples said.
It was just another positive from an eventful week for Couples, who visited the White House on Wednesday to meet president Barack Obama and then clipped Woods by a stroke on Day 1 a Muirfield Village.
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Couples spent 20 minutes with the President, during which he asked him twice to attend this year’s Presidents Cup at Muirfield Village, and even was allowed to test the famous White House putting green.
“They didn’t have any belly putters so I had to putt with a crutch,” he smiled.
As for his round with Woods, Couples – who was also paired with the world No. 1 for Rounds 1 and 2 last year at the Memorial – said he was a little uneasy when officials told him his tee time for this week.
“He’s my all-time favorite,” Couples said. “I sent him a text and asked if he really wanted me in his group.”
Still, Couples, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame earlier this month, said he wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to play with Woods.
“It might be my last time getting paired with Tiger,” he said. “My goal when I play with him is to hit it solid and stay out of his way.”
Beating him, like he did on Thursday, is just a bonus.
