Masters champion battling illness on eve of major - 'I'm a little sick'

Fred Couples has revealed he has been fighting a virus in the run-up to this week's Masters tournament at Augusta National, where he is set to make his 40th appearance. Couples, who claimed the iconic green jacket in 1992, has been a consistent presence at the event, missing only two editions since his victory.

However, this year's competition may prove to be particularly challenging for the veteran golfer, as he admitted to health struggles following his practice round on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters, Couples disclosed: "I've got this virus. Two weeks ago, it was in here, and then it was the other virus, and now I just got a mean cough, and I'm a little congested. But I'm fine... I feel okay. I'm a little sick. For almost three weeks now.

"But I'm getting some strength back, and I'm trying to hit it hard and where I can reach most of the holes."

Nevertheless, competing at Augusta is becoming increasingly difficult for the 65-year-old Couples, as the course's length poses a significant challenge. Despite this, he is still continuing to keep his game at a strong level, currently playing on the PGA Champions Tour with four tournaments under his belt this season.

The Masters champion of 1992 has received permission to continue competing in the revered event for at least two more years, with his game still in a good position.

"I always thought there was some kind of an age requirement and there really isn't, but now there's more of a, you know, how do you play requirement,"he added. "So I feel good about my game. Like I said, I was at a Bridgestone outing, and on the way back, we called Steve at Augusta, and he gave me the news, and the six-hour flight home kind of went fast.

"So I can play this year and next year for sure, but I don't want to come here as some clown just trying to play golf. I got one more day to keep swinging hard, and I love the course, as we all know, and I think the course is playing very good. The greens are a little -- we all agreed the greens were a little slower than normal."

While admitting the greens might be slower than usual, he is confident they'll pick up pace. He continued: "Hate saying that, but I'm sure they're going to speed 'em up. But they're firm. After all the rain, they know how to get rid of water."

These comments arrived after Couples completed a practice round alongside Justin Thomas, Adam Scott, and Brooks Koepka.

Couples recently turned heads in the golfing world after claiming that he had spoken to Koepka, who reportedly expressed his desire to return to the PGA Tour. Koepka has been with LIV Golf since 2022.

In a recent interview with , Koepka disclosed that there are some PGA Tour events he would like to participate in again, but the ongoing division within the sport currently prevents him from doing so.