What they said: Fred Couples

text size

MORE INTERVIEWS: Northern Trust Open transcript archive

Q. Fred, eight birdies, 4-under par, you have to feel good about that?

FRED COUPLES: I did not know that. I figured it could be a little bit of a boost. I made a lot of putts, but missed a couple short ones. Hit the ball solid; I'll take 4 under any day.

Q. What is it about this golf course that makes you feel so good?

FRED COUPLES: First, the people. My first few years on TOUR, it reminded me a lot of Seattle, small greens. We don't have many courses like this in Seattle, but small, teeny greens, which is what I grew up on. Hitting a lot of greens is one of my strengths, and I've always played well here, whether it was an 8th-place finish or a 20th-place finish, won a couple of times.

I just think I feel good on the course, even I'm 49 years old, I feel like I can go out and play it well every single time. It doesn't mean I'm going to shoot 67.

Q. 49 is not all that old.

FRED COUPLES: It's old for this place. Everywhere I look, there are people I just played with Nick Watney and he won. I just played with Dustin Johnson and he goes and wins. These guys are great, great players, and young and [] fun to be around. As you know, I've got six more months left of this, so I'd better enjoy it. I'll take eight birdies the next two days, maybe.

End of FastScripts