LA QUINTA, California, 30 November 2004 — Fred Couples made two big putts — worth at least $300,000 apiece — to again emerge the big winner at the Skins Game, which also featured Tiger Woods, Annika Sorenstam and Adam Scott.
Couples sank a 27-foot birdie try at the par-four 10th and knocked in a one-footer for par on the fourth extra hole to claim $640,000 in his fifth win in the postseason event.
His long putt at the 10th was worth eight skins, the third-most won on one hole in the history of the Skins Game. His big win was set up on Saturday when there was no winner on the final seven holes.
Woods pocketed $310,000 by winning five skins, all when he converted a six-foot birdie putt on the 15th. After a perfect drive, Woods hit a six-iron 148 yards to set up his birdie putt.
After Woods’ win on the 15th, the players halved the remaining three holes. Australia’s Scott and Sorenstam were both eliminated with pars on the first playoff hole, the par-five 18th.
Couples and Woods each carded pars on the next two playoff holes, 17 and 18. The two players returned to 17 and Couples took advantage of Woods’ mistake off the tee. On the 204-yard par-three, Woods hit a three-iron into the water, opening the door for Couples.
A three-iron to 25 feet put Couples in good position, and he two-putted for par to win three more skins and $340,000.
“When he hit in the water, it’s not an easy shot,” Couples said. “I aimed it to the right and tried to hammer it. I pulled it a little bit and it looked like a great shot, but I figured if I was able to get it on land I was going to make four and win.”
“I’m just happy I took the ‘King of Skins’ extra holes, made him work for it,” Woods said.
Scott, the only player to cash in on the first day, and LPGA Tour champion Sorenstam did not win any holes on Sunday. Making his Skins Game debut Saturday at the Trilogy Golf Club, Scott picked up two skins and $50,000 with a 40-foot birdie putt at the par-four second hole, playing his way out of a bunker.
“I had a great time over the weekend. Being able to play with Tiger, Annika and Freddy was a great experience,” Scott said. “In this environment, it’s a bit different. It was great to win a couple of skins yesterday, but today I had a chance, and I didn’t take it so that’s just the way this game is.”
Sorenstam won $225,000 in this event last year but carded only one birdie in the two-day event and was the only player to come up empty this year. Despite her lack of success on the scoreboard, the world’s top female golfer saw the event as a learning experience.
“I learned a lot this week. Just to come here and be a part of this and to walk to the first tee with these guys. It’s pressure,” Sorenstam said. “It’s a challenge, and hopefully, when I do that more it will help me in my major championships, which is what I want to win.”
In relation to par, Couples and Woods were three-under, Scott was even and Sorenstam two-over on Sunday.
Playing in his fifth Skins Game and first since 2002, Woods had won just $225,000 total in the event before Sunday.
“I played well today. I hit a lot of good shots,” Woods said. “It’s all about timing, making the right birdie at the right time. And I just happened to birdie a hole no one else birdied, so that was a huge win for me to get off the bagel.”
