Fred Couples Elected To World Golf Hall Of Fame

Former Masters champion and University of Houston graduate Fred Couples was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame Wednesday. Couples is one of the most popular players on tour, known for his free-flowing swing and easy demeanor. He has 15 career PGA Tour wins, including his one major championship at the 1992 Masters and two wins at The Players Championship. He was the PGA Tour Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992, and became the first American to top the World Golf Ratings in 1992. His career has been shortened by back pain, though he has managed to win 8 Champions Tour titles since joining the senior circuit in 2010.

Couples has no illusions as to his place in history, as he said to reporters:

''There are other people in the Hall of Fame that are maybe good players. But good is a good thing,'' Couples said from Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. ''I've been good at it for a long time, and I hope to continue to play a few more years.''

The World Golf Hall of Fame selection criteria generally require a 65% majority vote from the electors, but the rules allow for the top vote-getter over 50% to enter the hall if no player reaches the 65% mark. Couples received 51% of the vote, the only player to top 50% in this year's field. Davis Love III and Ken Venturi each received 38% of the eligible vote.

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