Couples wins Toshiba Classic

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Fred Couples won his second straight Champions Tour title, shooting a 6-under 65 for a four-stroke victory Sunday in the Toshiba Classic.

Couples, making his third start on the 50-and-over tour, had an 18-under 195 total on the Newport Beach Country Club course. He won the ACE Group Classic on Feb. 14 in Florida and finished second behind Tom Watson in the season-opening event in Hawaii. Last week, Couples tied for 14th in the PGA Tour’s Phoenix Open.

“In a good way I am full of confidence in my game,” said Couples, who opened with rounds of 66 and 64. “I talked to Jay Haas a long time ago and when you are 50 you are the youngest guy out here and if you are a good player like I think I am, I thought I would have some opportunities to win out here.”

Couples earned $255,000 to push his tour-leading total to $691,000.

Ronnie Black (65) finished second. Tom Lehman (69) and Chien Soon Lu (69) tied for third at 12 under, and Watson (62) and Loren Roberts (68) followed at 11 under.

Couples played the front nine in 1 under Sunday, then had a 5-under 31 on the final nine holes — making an eagle, four birdies and a bogey.

“I was a little off,” Couples said. “I made some good swings. I started coming on on the back nine.”

The 60-year-old Watson matched his best round on the Champions Tour and also tied Hale Irwin’s 1998 mark for the best final round in the event.

Watson had an eagle and three birdies on the first four holes, dropped a stroke with a bogey on No. 9, then birdied five of the last nine holes. He settled for a birdie on the par-5 18th after missing a 20-foot eagle putt.

“The putter was the star,” Watson said. “I kind of had an attitude going out there on the first three holes of both nines, I hadn’t made any birdies. Those are short par 4s, I ought to be making some birdies there.”

Watson pulled within two strokes of Couples, but ran out of holes.

“I was thinking Freddie hanging onto 13 under,” Watson said. “If I get to 12 and the weather coming in you never know what’s going to happen.”

Couples hit a wedge into No. 12 that stopped a foot from the hole, then made a 3-footer for another birdie on 13.

But Couples made a mistake on the par-3 14th when he missed the green and was unable to get up and down for par. Black made an eagle on No. 15, to cut the lead to two again, but wasn’t able to get any closer.

“I was struggling with my swing as well as my putting,” Black said. “If I had been a little sharper I think I could have come after (Couples) a little better.”

Couples reached the par-5 15th hole in two and made a 12-foot eagle putt to extend his lead to four. He birdied the following hole and even birdied the 18th after his second shot hit the side of the grandstand to the right of the green. He hit a wedge to 20 feet and rolled in the birdie putt.

“The shot I hit at 18 was basically an up and down,” Couples said. “I got on the green and I’ve been putting really well this whole year,”

In nine Champions Tour rounds, Couples hasn’t had a score higher than 68 and is 56-under par over 162 holes.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Tulalip Heritage’s JJ Gray makes a layup during the winner-to-state playoff game against Muckleshoot Tribal School on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Hawks beat ‘brothers from the south’ to earn state bid.

Tulalip Heritage wins Tri-District game, pride against Muckleshoot Tribal School.

Stanwood junior Ellalee Wortham (2) lunges toward the basket past several Monroe defenders to attempt an underhand layup in the Girls 3A Basketball District 1 semifinals at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 18, 2025. Wortham scored 33 points in the 59-41 win for the Spartans, eclipsing 1,000 career points. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Wortham hits 1,000 career points, leads Stanwood to state

A 33-point outing led to a 59-41 win against Monroe in the Girls 3A District 1 semifinals.

Shorecrest senior Cassie Chesnut attempts a free throw in the Scots' 47-23 win against Snohomish in the Girls 3A Basketball District 1 semifinals at Marysville Pilchuck High School in Marysville, Washington on Feb. 18, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls basketball upsets Snohomish in District 1 3A semis

An 18-0 third-quarter run allows Scots to blow by top-seeded Panthers 47-23.

Arlington junior Tre Haines stands atop the podium after winning the District 1 Boys 4A Wrestling 157-pound championship on Feb. 8 in Mill Creek, Washington. Lake Stevens senior Jarrell David placed second, Arlington junior Marquell Butler placed third and Lake Stevens sophomore Felix Ramsey placed fourth in the weight class. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald).
Arlington’s Tre Haines embraces pressure on path for glory

The two-time state wrestling champion will aim to ‘3-peat’ at Mat Classic XXXVI this weekend.

The Shorewood bench reacts to 3-point shot during the 3A district playoff game against Shorecrest on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Meadowdale, Shorewood keep state hopes alive.

The Arlington bench reacts to a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 18

Arlington, GP punch state tickets.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 9-15

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 9-15. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Tips Week in Review: Everett splits at Prince George, beats Victoria

Eric Jamieson’s hat trick against Victoria highlights Presidents’ Day Weekend

Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. takes the ball up the court during a Feb. 7, 2025 home league game against Monroe. (Courtesy of Spencer Janzen)
Marysville Pilchuck’s Michael Smathers Jr. stars in freshman season

The guard averaged 19 points per game for the Tomahawks this season.

Everett qualifies 13 girls for Mat Classic

Mia Cianega wins at 190 as Seagulls place third at district wrestling tournament.

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.