Couples Wins Par-3 Event

Fred Couples won the ING Par-3 Shootout, on the Threetops Course at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich., on Tuesday. Chris DiMarco and Craig Stadler tied for second with $110,000 apiece. Andy North was fourth with $20,000.

Couples pocketed $200,000 on the last hole and $300,000 total to win his third ING Par-3 Shootout title in five years. Couples hiked his total earnings in the event to $1.12 million. “I grew up on a par-3 course: Jefferson Park in Seattle,” Couples said. “This is my kind of place.”

Phil Mickelson was noticeably absent at the event, in which he had earned $960,000 in seven previous events at Treetops. Mickelson withdrew from the Shootout after his meltdown in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot.

Lee Trevino is the event’s top money winner with $1.39 million. Trevino is also the only player to collect the $1 million bonus for a hole in one. The “Merry Mex” aced hole No. 7 in 2001.