Fred Couples has never been one to hold back his opinions on LIV Golf, often criticizing both the league and its players-including longtime rival Phil Mickelson.
While the two have a history of both friendship and competition, their feud has reignited after Couples made a comment about Brooks Koepka that Mickelson did not take lightly.
The history of bad blood
Couples and Mickelson have shared plenty of memorable moments as Ryder Cup teammates and colleagues. However, in recent years, their relationship has soured, largely due to LIV Golf.
In 2023, Couples took a shot at Mickelson’s move to the Saudi-backed league, calling him a “nutbag” and mocking the fact that he was paid 200 million dollars despite shooting unimpressive scores.
Mickelson’s performance on the LIV circuit-where he has only recorded two Top 15 finishes-has done little to silence the criticism.
While tensions between the two had cooled, Couples’ latest remarks about Koepka have brought their feud back into the spotlight.
During an appearance on Sports Radio 93.3 KJR in Seattle, Couples stated that Koepka “really wants to come back and play the [PGA] Tour.” While the comment wasn’t particularly inflammatory, it implied that a major LIV Golf star was looking for an exit-something Mickelson saw as a major breach of trust.
Responding in a now-deleted social media post, Mickelson slammed Couples.
“If it’s not true he damaged a relationship which he cares about. If it is true he took away Brooks’ control of the timeline and narrative. Either way, this is a low-class jerk move by Fred,” he wrote.
Mickelson has fully committed to LIV Golf, so his strong reaction wasn’t unexpected. His response suggests he is not only defending Koepka but also protecting the league’s image.
With both Couples and Mickelson expected to attend the Masters in April, their feud could take center stage at Augusta National. If the media presses them on the topic, things could get even more heated, adding another layer of drama to an already highly anticipated tournament.
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