Couples Works Overtime to Win at Westchester

Fred Couples lofted a sand wedge shot to within three feet and birdied the third playoff hole Sunday, enabling him to win his first major tournament on the Champions Tour, the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship in Harrison, N.Y.

Couples and John Cook finished 72 holes at the Westchester Country Club's West Course tied at 11-under-par. Cook posted a 1-under 70, while Couples shot even-par 71 in the final round, which was interrupted for nearly two hours by a thunderstorm.

The playoff began at 18, with both players making par. They went back to the 18th, and Couples had a golden opportunity to capture the tournament by reaching the 516-yard par-5 in two. However, he three-putted from about 70 feet for another par, sending the duo to 17 to continue the playoff.

On the 17th, Cook pulled his approach shot to the left side of the green, while Couples hit a gorgeous shot from the right rough that stopped three feet from the cup.

"I knew when it was going it was a really good shot," Couples said. "It was simple yardage, 76 yards, and it hit soft. And that extra rain certainly helped that shot. But I knew it was going to be close."

After Cook ran his long birdie putt past the hole, Couples tapped in for the victory, which earned him $405,000.

Six weeks ago, Couples was in Germany receiving non-traditional treatment for his chronic back problems.

"I feel great about winning my first senior major," he said. "I just hope (Monday) when I wake up I feel better than I do now, and that's the emotional part of it because I've been doing so well. It was a challenging day, and it was a fun day, and to win, it's a good feeling."