Couples joins Woods, Garcia, Daly in Australia

Fred Couples is the latest big name international golfer to decide to be a part of Australia’s big three end of year golf tournaments. Couples hasn’t been down to Australia for many years to play but on the back of a great season on the Champions Tour, he has agreed to play the Australian Open in Sydney.

Sergio Garcia, Tiger Woods, Camilo Villegas and John Daly and now Fred Couples are just some of the big name overseas golfers making the trek down under for the short Australian swing that is the Australian Masters, Australian Open and the Australian PGA. These guys join loads of the Aussies coming back of course, including Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy, Greg Norman and Stuart Appleby.

Couples was on the cards to play last year but was forced to withdraw due to back problems. In a particularly straight forward ‘say all the right things’ statement, Couples said “I am very much looking forward to playing in the Australian Open in particular The Lakes Golf Club.  I have not been to Sydney for some time and look forward to visiting this magnificent city once again.”. Tick.

I’m willing to bet he makes it this year and goes down on a reconnaissance mission to Royal Melbourne at some stage ahead of next year’s Presidents Cup. As captain of the US team, he’ll want to make sure he knows the layout well before arriving with the team.

Can someone ask him to bring down a few pairs of those golf shoes he wears? Some funky wheels he’s been wearing.

Australian Masters, Victoria GC, Melbourne November 11 – 14, 2010

Australian Open, The Lakes, Sydney December 2 – 5, 2010

Australian PGA, Coolum, Sunshine Coast December 9 – 12, 2010