Fred Couples
Fred Couples is an American professional golfer from Seattle, Washington. He attended college at the University of Houston and turned pro in 1980. He has 15 career wins on the PGA Tour and 64 career wins. His most notable win came at the 1992 Masters.
Fred Couples Quick Facts
| Born | October 3, 1959 |
| Hometown | Seattle, Washington |
| College | University of Houston |
| Turned Pro | 1980 |
| Major Championship Wins | 1 |
| PGA Tour Wins | 15 |
| Total Professional Wins | 64 |
| Career Earnings | $22,814,253 |
| Spouse | Suzanne Hannemann |
*wins and career earnings current as of December 2022
Fred Couples Career Highlights
Fred Couples is regarded as one of the most likable and popular figures ever on the PGA Tour. His career highlights span multiple tours, but it was his collegiate days at the University of Houston where Couples began seeing a lot of success. At Houston, Couples was roommates with fellow PGA Tour player Blaine McAllister, and CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz. While attending college, Couples won the 1978 Washington Open.
After turning pro in 1980, Couples competed until he got his first win at the 1983 Kemper Open, where he won in a five-man playoff. Couples followed that win with several notable victories, including the 1984 Players Championship, 1987 Byron Nelson Classic, and the Nissan Los Angeles Open in 1990 and 1992.
Aside from Los Angeles, 1992 was Fred Couples’ most successful season on tour, adding two more wins, most notably winning the 1992 Masters. In what would be his only major championship win, Couples won at Augusta with a score of -13, two strokes better than Raymond Floyd. Couples won six more times on the PGA Tour by 2004.
After trading a part-time schedule on the PGA Tour for a more full-time schedule on the PGA Tour Champions in 2010, Couples saw rejuvenated success, which also came with more victories. Since 2010, Couples has won 14 times on the 50 and up circuit, including two majors: the 2011 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship and the 2012 Senior Open Championship.
Fred Couples’ involvement in United States team golf is extensive. As a player, Couples competed in the Ryder Cup five times (1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997) and the Presidents Cup four times (1994, 1996, 1998, 2005). He has also been the U.S. Presidents Cup captain three times (2009, 2011, 2013). Each of his three Presidents Cup captaincies resulted in victories.
Couples has dealt with significant back issues throughout his career. Back pain has led him to withdraw from tournaments throughout the years and has forced Couples to take time off and opt for a lighter playing schedule.
Known for his smooth swing, which looks effortless, Couples has a distinct motion where his hips fire toward the target in his follow through. He is also one of the few players who choose to not play with a golf glove.
Fred Couples has earned $22,814,253 in his career on the golf course.
About Fred Couples
Fred Couples was born on October 3, 1959 to Tom and Violet Couples in Seattle, Washington. He credits a local municipal golf course as the place he grew up perfecting his iconic, rhythmic golf swing. He is self-taught and says that he never took a golf lesson.
Couples was married to his first wife, Deborah, from 1981-1993. Deborah passed away in 2001 in what was ruled a suicide. He was married to his second wife, Thais Baker from 1998-2009 until she passed from cancer. In 2022, Couples married Suzanne Hannemann and they live in Newport Beach, California. Couples does not have children.
A sports enthusiast, Couples can be seen at some of the biggest events and even seen with his friend, Michael Jordan. In fact, Couples appointed Jordan as an assistant captain at the 2011 Presidents Cup.