Steve Stricker was supposed to win, after all, they were playing in Madison, Wisconsin.
Stricker, who scored a top 20 finish in the U.S. Open at Erin Hills, was up to his eyeballs with responsibilities as host of the Champions Tour’s American Family Insurance Championship at the University of Wisconsin’s course.
He had the biggest galleries but if Stricks didn’t win, then the folks in Madison got another popular guy in the winner’s circle.
Fred Couples was coming in off a two-month layoff and was ready to go. On the other hand, Stricker, after grinding at the U.S. Open admitted, “I’m tired.”
Couples put together rounds of 67-68 then shot 66 on Sunday to finish 15-under par for his 13th victory on the over-50 circuit.
“When you’re off, you kind of get excited to play. You just get back out there and play,” said Couples, who beat Scott Verplank by two shots.
Stricker, despite being a bit weary, shot 12-under par and tied for third with Joe Durant.
