"He never uses it as an excuse, but I'll tell you flat-out it's worse than people know."

The scribes enjoyed Freddie's post-round press conference so much, they wrote about it, starting with Bill Dwyre.

Randall Mell checked up on Couples' claim of 150 rounds and sure enough, that's probably about right when you factor in pro-ams, practice and fun.

Actually, Couples has now played 101 round in this event at Riviera, but that is more than anyone else in the field. Corey Pavin’s played 96 here.

Bob Harig tells us that Couples' back problems are much worse than he lets on.

Although Couples has never had surgery, he has undergone numerous treatments, remedies, exercises -- you name it. He has been to back specialists, chiropractors. He has another appointment scheduled for Monday, although Couples would not say exactly what he has planned.

There's going to be an MRI, and then perhaps something "drastic," although he said any procedure performed would be "non-evasive" and yet "a lot of fun."

So while meaning to say "non-invasive," Couples nonetheless managed to be evasive.
Perhaps it's just better to talk about his golf.

"He played like he was my age," said Anthony Kim, 25, who was not even 5 years old when Couples won here in 1990 -- and who finished 9 strokes worse over 36 holes. "He was swinging hard, hitting some quality shots, some aggressive shots. And obviously it doesn't hurt to make a couple of long ones."