Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples might not have the strongest of relationships right now but looking back to 2006 and Mickelson’s Masters win, there was definitely a bond there.
Both Couples and Mickelson can play at Augusta National for life having secured their green jackets and over the years, they’ve had some fine head to heads.
Mickelson, of course, usurps Couples in terms of Masters wins with his three to Couples’ one but still, the duo are more than respected across the game of golf in general.
- READ MORE: How Rory McIlroy has used his 2021 Ryder Cup comments to prove he’s Europe’s top golfer ever since
Indeed, when we hark back to the Masters in 2006 and Mickelson’s second win at Augusta, it’s worth remembering the duo were out together in the final round.
And with Couples in contention until things went wrong, Mickelson admitted at the time that it wasn’t exactly the way he wanted to win.
Why Phil Mickelson felt sorry for Fred Couples at the 2006 Masters
With Fred Couples and Phil Mickelson both in contention after round three in 2006, it was set up to be a monumental day at the famous course.
However, while Mickelson triumphed after carding a final round of 69 to win by two ahead of Tim Clark, for Couples, there was anguish as he threw it away.
Couples had a nightmare on the 14th which all but ended his hopes of a win and after he finished three shots back of the winner in the end, Mickelson admitted afterwards he actually felt a touch sorry for his fellow American.
“I love playing with Fred,” Mickelson said at the time. “We had a great time and we kept saying how lucky we were to be in the final pairing on Sunday at The Masters and how much fun it was. It made for a very fun day, and we were pulling for each other to make some birdies and encouraging each other.
“When 14 happened where he ended up having a little mishap there, you know, it was you don’t want to win like that. It would have been, if he knocks that first putt in, we would have had one heck of a time that final four holes, and I wanted to see that happened. As much as I wanted to win this tournament, I was sorry to see that happen.
“We’ve had a good relationship because we’ve played on so many Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams. Although we have not been partners but a time or two, we’re still teammates and we still pull for each other, play practice rounds together and have an enjoyable time.”
How Phil Mickelson and Fred Couples fell out over LIV Golf
As we all know, Mickelson is a strong advocate for LIV Golf since his move there while Couples, very much a PGA Tour man, hasn’t been too kind in his assessment.
However, things boiled over a touch in 2024 when Couples suggested Brooks Koepka wanted a move back to the PGA Tour. At the time – in a now deleted message – Mickelson responded with fire on social media.
“If it’s not true, he [Couples] has damaged a relationship which he cares about, then if it’s true he took away Brooks’ control of the timeline and narrative. Either way this is a low-class jerk move by Fred,” Mickelson posted at the time before he later removed the post.
Of course, we know Couples and Koepka reconciled on the issue.
However, whether or not Mickelson and Couples are all friendly again, remains to be seen.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
