Shell Houston Open

Fred Couples is back in more ways than one. Yes, he was playing in the town with memories from his college days at the University of Houston. This year, though, the return to the Shell Houston Open was more special than merely a chance to see old friends.

Couples fired a closing 67, for a 21-under par 267 total, to win the $4.5 million event by four strokes over Stuart Appleby, Mark Calcavecchia and Hank Kuehne at Redstone Golf Club.

It's the first time Couples has won the Shell Houston Open in 14 starts. His previous best was third in 1998 and he had never been a leader or tied for the lead after any round in the event

More importantly, it's his 15th career victory and first since 1998. The span of 87 events without a win is the longest of his career.

The victory drought inspired the 22-year TOUR veteran to rededicate himself in the off season to see if he could still win. Couples changed swing coaches and work diligently with Butch Harmon.

"I appreciate golf more than I did and feel honored to win again," said Couples, who collected $810,000 for the victory. "It's fun to win again. I haven't played well in five years and have a lot of people to thank."

Doing it in Houston made the accomplishment more special. After putting out for birdie on the final
hole, he trickled tears.

"I'm always emotional when nice things happen to nice people," Couples said with a smile. "I thought I could win again if I practiced and played. It just hit me so fast when it was over."

Starting the final round with a one-stroke lead over Calcavecchia, Couples increased it to two with birdies on the Nos. 1 and 4.

He gave those shots back on the troublesome 7th hole. Couples made double bogey on the 498-yard par 4 when his approach shot found the water right of the green. It was the second consecutive day he suffered a double on the hole.

"I was sick," Couples said of his 6-iron approach shot. "The way I had been playing for a long time, I
really felt that was it. I didn't think I would be able to bounce back."

He did. Making up for the mistake, he rebounded the next hole by sinking a 61-foot putt for birdie and adding another on the ninth from 11-feet.

Calcavecchia matched Couples' birdie on No.8 but bogeyed the No. 9, giving Couples a one-shot advantage at the turn.

Like the third round, the 22-year TOUR veteran made his move on the closing nine. He posted a 34, taking the lead for the final time with a birdie on No. 15.

At various times on the back Couples trailed Kuehne and was tied with Appleby and Calcavecchia.

A longtime friend of Couples, Calcavecchia shot a 70 but struggled with his putter, needing 33 putts. The combination of wayward drives, he hit 8 of 14 fairways, and problems on the green led to his
downfall.

"That's the best I have ever seen Fred play," said Calcavecchia. "He hit every shot perfect the last five holes. Putting aside my disappointment, I'm happy for him. He said a nice thing on 18 when he told me he probably would have not won if he had not played with me."

Kuehne closed with a 66 and led at one point until he bogeyed the final hole after his drive found water on the left side of the fairway. The $336,000 he made pushed his season total to the point he earned Special Temporary Membership on TOUR.

This year the tournament, sponsored by Shell Oil Co., was moved from the TPC at the Woodlands complex after a 28-year run to the new sprawling 7,508 yard Redstone Golf Club, the fourth-longest course on the Tour.