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Fred Couples delighted with third place
Experienced American Fred Couples was tired but delighted after finishing tied third in the British Open on Sunday to continue his fine record in the tournament.
The 45-year-old former U.S. Masters champion shot a four-under-par 68 for an eight under par aggregate of 280, six shots behind winner Tiger Woods.
He was on his own in third, behind Briton Colin Montgomerie, until Spaniard Jose Maria Olazabal birdied the last with the penultimate shot of the championship to join Couples on eight under.
"I had a great day," Couples told reporters. "I played very well and it could've been a heck of a lot better.
"It's so much fun to play St Andrews, it's a unique spot. I knew I would play well this week but maybe not this well."
Couples matched his best Open performance, Birkdale in 1991, and has now finished in the top five four times and the top 10 on nine occasions.
"The crowds here are always great," he said. "They know about golf and in a subtle way they root you on.
"They have favourites and I've always been enamoured by how nice they are, how courteous they are. It's fun for all of us."
Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, has suffered a succession of back problems in recent years and said he felt tired by his exertions.
"I'm done now," he said. "Standing here my feet are ready to break off."
The five-times Ryder Cup team member also paid tribute to Woods.
"You're playing against the best player in the world and when he attacks the course he does it with great ball striking," Couples said. "He's setting the bar so high, he's so strong and he's just a great player."
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