Fred Couples made two big putts - both worth at least 300,000 US dollars
(£158,000) - and was again the big winner of the La Quinta Skins Game that also
included Tiger Woods, Adam Scott and Annika Sorenstam.
By sinking a 27-foot birdie putt at the par-four 10th and knocking in a
one-footer for par on the fourth extra hole, Couples earned 640,000 dollars
(£338,000) and won the event for the fifth time.
His long putt on 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 dollars (£163,000) by winning five skins - all when he
converted a six-foot birdie putt on the 15th.
After Woods' win on the 15th, the players halved the remaining three holes.
Scott and Sorenstam were both eliminated with pars on the first play-off hole,
the par-five 18th.
Couples and Woods each carded pars on the next two play-off holes on the 17th
and 18th.
The two players returned to the 17th 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 dollars (£176,000).
Scott, the only player to cash in on the first day, and LPGA Tour champion
Sorenstam did not win any holes on Sunday.
Sorenstam won 225,000 dollars (£119,000) in this event last year but carded
only one birdie in the two-day event and was the only player to come away
empty-handed this year.
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