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Fred Couples mulls retirement from PGA Tour

Fred Couples has hinted that he may opt to quit the PGA Tour because of his long-standing back problem.

The 1992 Masters champion missed virtually the entire 2007 season as he took time off to try and overcome the chronic ailment that has hampered his career in recent times.

However, despite his extended break, the 48-year-old continues to be troubled by his back and admits he may well call time on his PGA Tour career to protect his health.

Couples proved he can still cut it in the professional ranks as he teamed up with John Daly to finish a credible ninth at the Merrill Lynch Shootout over the weekend, but feels the time could soon be right to bring the curtain down on his professional career.

"To sit around for eight months and not play any golf, I thought would help," Couples told news-press.com. "But it is what it is. There's not a whole lot I can do about it.

"I'm not the kind of guy that wants to half do it. I enjoy playing at home - to go out and play, to pass time. But that's something that I don't want to not be able to do.

"That would bother me more than, at this time, not playing the tour."

December 11, 2007